Ra Victorious in Tight Race for 21st District

Ed Ra, the Republican candidate for 21st District of the New York State Assembly, continued to hold his lead over his opponent, Democrat Patrick Nicolosi, as the Nassau County Board of Elections posted its unofficial results Tuesday night.

Shortly after 2.a.m., Ra was ahead of Nicolosi by 678 votes, with just over 80 percent of the ballots counted. Ra had 44.82 percent of the vote, compared to Nicolosi's 42.26 percent. These unofficial results prompted Nicolosi to announce his plans to concede. While he decided to put off calling Ra until the morning, he issued the following statement: "I'd like to congratulate Ed Ra on his first political win. Hopefully he will use this seat as a means to fight for the residents of the 21st district and ensure they get their fair share from Albany."

Then he added, "Saying that, once again we have seen that party politics and the patronage machine run by the Town of Hempstead Republican Party has shortchanged the citizens of the 21st district.  As long as so many families rely on the Town of Hempstead and their town controlled special taxing districts, there will be no accountability of Republican elected officials.

"Not to mention the Nassau County Democratic Party has offered the citizens of the Town of Hempstead zero democratic accountability by refusing to try and build any sort of a political party within the town. That is why I am so proud of how my campaign was run-it was a true grassroots campaign.  I want to thank the individuals who supported my campaign and want to let them know that though we have lost this race, the fight does not end here.  We must continue to demand our voices be heard."

Ra, 28, R-Franklin Square, and Nicolosi, 54, D-Elmont, were both vying for the seat of Republican Tom Alfano, of North Valley Stream, who is retiring. This district serves Elmont, Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Malverne, North Valley Stream, Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Bellerose, New Hyde Park and Garden City South. Mimi Pierre Johnson, also of Elmont, was a candidate in the race. She had lost to Nicolosi by nearly 700 votes in the Democratic Primary, but continued to run for the seat under the Working Families Party, a move that some critics said could hurt the Dems chances of a victory by splitting the party's vote.

"I feel very good," Ra said, as he sat with his supporters watching the unofficial results come in late Tuesday night.  "I feel good about the way I ran and what the numbers look like now."

Ra lives with his wife in Franklin Square, where he has been a lifelong resident. He  received his justice degree from St. John's University and his master's from Cardozo School of Law. One of the biggest issues he plans to take on is easing the burden of local property taxes by implementing video lottery terminals at Belmont Park. He is also against the MTA payroll tax and supports bringing back the STAR rebate program. Like his opponent, Ra campaigned for an end to Medicaid fraud and wasteful spending.

"Tax issues were first and foremost on people's minds as I was talking to them, so  that's what I want to work on," said Ra, who spent most of Election Day with supporters that were making phone calls on his behalf.

Nicolosi spent the day making some final campaign stops. "We have been working hard since Day 1, and we're not going to stop until all the votes are counted, " said Joseph Conte, Nicolosi's campaign manager.

Nicolosi, who is married with three children, is a retired delegate for the Local 550 Bakers Drivers Union and the president of the Elmont Civic Association. He has also served on the Elmont Public Library Board of Trustees. Nicolosi is a long-time supporter of plans to develop the underutilized space at Belmont Park. He envisions  the site could be used to construct businesses and hotels. He also supports transit-oriented development, which he believes will lead to more affordable housing in Nassau County.