The crowd of Democratic supporters erupted with cheers at party headquarters at the Wesbury Manor on Tuesday night. (Photo by Eric Palkhe)
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By Megan Valenti
Nassau News Staff Writer
Emotions ran high on election night at the Nassau County Democratic Headquarters at the Westbury Manor. Victorious Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy made some predictions about the Democratic Party as a whole early in the night.
“I think it will be a very good night for the Democrats," she said. "Obviously, everyone is not going to win, but across the country, I’m looking more on the federal level on seeing the issues I care passionately about to be able to get legislation through."
The Democrats certainly got the fairytale ending they hoped for. Barack Obama won the presidency and many Democrats clinched the local races across the island.
Tears flowed as Obama was declared the next president of the United States. After that Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi kicked off a long line of Democratic victory speeches.
“Let’s hear it for two things," Suozzi said. "Two things we need to applaud. Let's applaud Barack Obama and let's applaud the United States of America."
Suozzi said that voters he caught up with earlier on election day, patiently waiting their turn at the polls, viewed this change as being a long time coming.
“An elderly woman, dressed in her best clothes, stepped out of line and said 'Son, I’ve been waiting a lot more then an hour for this day,' ” Suozzi said.
However, victory wasn’t possible for all of the local Democrats running for office, proving McCarthy's prediction. After a tight race, Republican incumbent Kemp Hannon came out on top against Democrat Kristen McElroy in the 7th senate district race. This loss put somewhat of a damper on Democrats' celebration as the crowd dispersed, leaving behind what is today’s history.
