Politics & Government

Flanagan Defeats Bernstein for State Senate Seat

Republican incumbent wins by 2-to-1 margin in race for New York Senate's Second District.

State Sen. John J. Flanagan declared victory over challenger Ira Bernstein before a packed ballroom at the Sheraton in Hauppauge at 10 p.m.

As of 1:08 a.m. on Tuesday, Flanagan, R-East Northport, is leading in the polls with 69.3 percent of the vote over challenger Ira Bernstein with 98 percent of polling places reporting.

"We are ready to head back to Albany and do the right thing for the taxpayers of Suffolk County, Long Island and New York," Flanagan said.

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Incumbent Flanagan was first elected to represent the second district of New York in 2002. He serves as ranking Republican member of the Education committee, as well as the committees on Aging; Codes; Consumer Protection; Higher Education; and Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

Suffolk County Republican Committee Chairman John Jay LaValle commended Flanagan on his success.

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"We are extremely proud. Flanagan has done a tremendous job of representing the community and they have responded by supporting him overwhelmingly. I believe he's a rising star in the New York State Republican Committee."

Since being elected to office, Flanagan has supported the implementation of the STAR Rebate Program in 2006 and is fighting to repeal the MTA Payroll tax.

"I think that what's ultra important is that Long Island get back the clout it lost when Republicans lost control of the senate. We had a block of Republicans that protected us. When we lost that, we got slammed with an MTA payroll tax," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.

LaValle and  Levy said it is the Republican's party platform of fiscal conservatism that will led to its success this election cycle.

"We are in trouble. New York State is in Trouble. Our country is in trouble. Taxpayers want to know that elected officials are spending wisely. It's fiscal conservatism," LaValle said.  

Challenger Ira Bernstein said he refused to concede victory to Flanagan until 11:30 p.m.

"I want to be safe, but I will concede. I do want to say that it is harder to win when the Democratic Committee picks which candidates they want to support, you need more help when the incumbent candidate has been in office for as long as Flanagan has," he  said. 

Bernstein, a 29-year Selden resident, works as a financial services advisor and is a former Commack School District teacher. He serves as the vice president of Brookhaven's Senior Advisory board.

 

Name Party Percent Votes John Flanagan R 69.35 57,603 Ira Bernstein D 30.64 25,445


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