Republican Anne Donnelly, a longtime county prosecutor, has declared victory in the race for Nassau County District Attorney over New York State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach).
Donnelly was in the lead with about 60% of the vote Tuesday night and Kaminsky with about 40%, with 92% of precincts counted, according to the unofficial early returns tallied by the Nassau Board of Elections.
“Thank you for caring about Nassau County and wanting to make it safe,” Donnelly said to supporters at the Nassau GOP watch party in Baldwin, “and thanks for picking the candidate who backs the blue. I am excited to get to work and make a difference.”
Donnelly, who had worked in the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for 32 years before retiring in September, would be the first Republican to hold the Nassau DA seat in 16 years, when Dennis Dillon left office.
“Last night’s result was not what we wanted—but I am so proud of the campaign we ran and the people who volunteered their time and energy to knock on over 100,000 doors across Nassau County,” Kaminsky said in a statement Wednesday morning. “Long Islanders want safe communities and government free from corruption. In my role as a Senator I will continue to serve my constituents and remain committed to those critical priorities and others to move Nassau forward.”
Acting District Attorney Joyce A. Smith, who has held the post since former Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas was appointed to the state Court of Appeals, congratulated Donnelly.
“District Attorney-Elect Anne Donnelly has served the people of Nassau County for decades,” Smith said in a statement. “She knows this office well and I congratulate her on her victory. I look forward to working with her to ensure an orderly transition and have confidence that Nassau will remain America’s safest county.”
Donnelly ran as the “tough on crime” candidate, arguing she is the one to keep Nassau families safe. Throughout her campaign, Donnelly also attacked Kaminsky’s support of recent statewide bail reform laws.
“It took me about 15 minutes to realize she’s the one [for DA],” Joe Cairo, chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee, said while recalling when he first met Donnelly.
Cairo also declared victory for Bruce Blakeman as Nassau County Executive. Blakeman has a lead of about 11,000 votes over his opponent, incumbent Democratic Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, with 92% of the votes in, and absentee ballots yet to be counted. Curran said she is waiting for the absentee ballots to be counted.
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