Politics & Government

Fuschillo Re-elected

Incumbent State Senator captures 65 percent of the vote.

State Senator Charles Fuschillo will be returning to Albany for a seventh term. The Merrick Republican was re-elected Tuesday night, soundly defeating Democrat Carol Gordon.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Fusscillo received  65 percent of the vote, compared to Gordon's 35 percent.

He captured 50,979 votes to Gordon's 27,948. Although Fuschillo captured a whopping 67 percent of the vote in Nassau County, he actually trailed Gordon in the portion of the district that goes into Suffolk County.

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"I'm honored that the community has once again placed its trust, faith, and confidence in me," Fuschillo said "I am grateful for their support and will continue to fight for the issues that are important to us; creating jobs, cutting taxes, and reducing spending."

Fuschillo, 50, who was first elected in the eighth district in 1998,  ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Tax Revolt Party lines. He campaigned on an anti-tax pro-business agenda, often trumpeting his vote against the MTA payroll tax passed in 2009, 

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He proposed a plan to give tax credits to businesses that hire new employees and supported a cap on property taxes, as well as a cap on spending.

Fuschillo also touted his record in Albany.  A member of the Senate's Transportation Committee, Fuschillo has sponsored or authored many anti-drunk driving laws. Among them was "Leandra's Law, which makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child under 15 inside a vehicle, even if it's a first offense.

The Senator  sponsored laws which lowered the state's legal blood alcohol content and toughened penalties for repeat offenders.

Gordon, 57, who lives in Massapequa, has worked as a mental health clinic manager and has been a patient advocate for veterans.  She's also been active in many community organizations.

She ran on the Democratic and working families lines. She supported providing more funding for community banks to give small business loans and advocated a state owned bank like one in North Dakota. A major part of her campaign was devoted to educating and empowering the electorate.

Gordon had run for the seat before, losing to Fuschillo 61 to 39 percent, in 2008.

Although she trailed by a wide margin, Gordon would not concede the race early Wednesday morning, saying she wanted to wait until the remaining votes were counted.


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