By Mary MacElveen
It appears that Democrat, Sarah Anker has won the special election for the 6th legislative seat for Suffolk County, NY. A seat previously held by now Assemblyman Dan Losquadro.
With all districts now in, the unofficial tally has Sarah Anker beating her opponent, Martin Haley (Republican) by a little over 200 votes.
In a district that heavily favors Republicans over Democrats by 5,000 voters, it seems that by the latest tally, the Democrats GOTV over Republicans. Democratic voters cast 3,112 versus 2,212 Republicans according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections web site.
Rick Brand of Newsday wrote this of Haley,” Haley portrayed himself in campaign mailings as part of the "Levy team." But at the very end of the campaign, Haley had to face Levy's surprise announcement that he was not seeking re-election and was turning over his $4-million campaign fund to District Attorney Thomas Spota. Democrats put out last-minute mailings attempting to link Haley to Levy's downfall due to "questionable fundraising." This may have soured Republicans from showing up to the polls as well as Independents who did lag behind the Working Families Party.
This seat was once held by Martin Haley and perhaps voters wanted a fresh voice in this elective body. Sarah Anker was a former Mount Sinai school board member, and other positions such as an environmental and civic activist. She advocated for the creation of Heritage Park and helped block a Wal-Mart from taking over that space.
With cancer on people’s minds she founded the Health and Environmental Coalition to find links between breast cancer and the environment.
Who knows by these results, but it may be an early indicator of how voters feel with a Republican led House in Washington, D.C.
You can reach me at xmjmac@optonline.net
