ElEction 2020
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Merrick
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NOVEMBER 5 - 11, 2020
In record turnout, voters re-elect Rice, McDonough to local seats hERAlD stAFF REpORt In an election that saw record voter turnout both at the polls and through the mail due to the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of absentee ballots remained to be counted in Nassau County as of midnight on Tuesday. In the 4th Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat from Garden City, declared victory against Republican challenger Douglas Tuman. She received 52 percent of the vote. “It is an extraordinary honor to be re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives,” Rice said in a statement. “As we await the final results from across the country, I am hopeful that this will be a good night for our nation. Long Islanders and Americans of all political backgrounds want an end to the dysfunction in Washington, and we can only achieve that if we work together.” In the 14th Assembly District, longtime Assemblyman David McDonough, a Republic a n f ro m N o r t h M e r r i ck , retained his seat, winning 58 percent of the vote. “I’m very grateful to be reelected, and am looking forward to continue doing what I do,” McDonough told the Herald Wednesday morning. “I really
Residents fly the flag high Neighbors start community movement in Merrick turned into almost a daily hanging of flags.” Fellow Mer rick resident Have you noticed all the new Marie Deacon’s family noticed American flags flying through- the Ruisis’ patriotic display and out Bellmore and Merrick? The quickly started a Facebook page, initiative is the Flags Fly High in work of a group of Merrick, to invite Merrick residents residents to join who hope to build and get their neighpatriotic pride in bors to hang flags the community, on their street in a they said. show of unity. The idea to hang “Why not try do zens of flags doing it all over around the area Merrick?” said Joe was sparked when Endrich, Deacon’s Clark Street resison. dents Nancy and The two families Sal Ruisi noticed have helped hang red, white and blue hundreds of flags, in front of several with more being homes in Wantagh hung in the days and some in Mer- JOE ENDRICh leading up to Veterrick. They gathans Day on Nov. 11. ered their neigh- Member, D o u g G e r b e r, b o r s t o d o t h e Flags Fly High owner of the Smith same, and soon it Street Deli, funded blossomed into a the flags that the full blown-project. Ruisis hung along Smith Street, “We thought it was so beauti- and the Deacons provide flags — ful, so why don’t we start hang- which are $30 each — when famiing them on our own block?” lies contribute the funds. Each Nancy said. “We asked our participating block has leaders neighbors, and everyone was so that distribute letters to every enthused. Cars would pull over home to get other residents on and ask us to also hang them in front of their homes — it’s Continued on page 3
By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com
I
Courtesy Assemblyman McDonough
lONGtIME AssEMBlyMAN DAVID McDonough, a Republican from North Merrick, retained his seat in Albany. am an employee of my constituents — I work for them.” In what will likely be his last ter m, McDonough said he planned to focus on taxes, health care and education. “It’s important that we get kids back in school,” he said, “especially the younger kids, who are missing out on socialization . . . The virus is still a very big concern, but we’re going to try and help our people through that crisis.” As Rice does in Washington, McDonough envisions a less
divisive future in Albany. “At the state level, we have to start working together,” he said. “The word I hate most is politics. We have to overcome the politics and learn to come together.” Nassau County Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs d e cl a re d S t at e S e n . Jo h n Brooks, of Seaford, the winner of his uncontested race just before midnight on Tuesday. Brooks ran unopposed in the 8th District, which covers Bellmore and Merrick.
ElEction RESUltS office
VOl. 23 NO. 45
Winner
opponent
4th c.d.
Kathleen Rice (d) – 52%
doug tuman (R) – 48%
8th S.d.
John Brooks (d)
uncontested
14th A.d.
dave Mcdonough (R) – 58% Kevin gorman (d) – 32%
18th A.d.
taylor darling (d) – 74%
Cherice Vanderhall (R) – 14%
t’s uniting everyone in a moment when everything is about dividing people between two [political] parties.