GOP boosts hold on Nassau Legislature

Republicans strengthened their control of the Nassau County Legislature last night, capturing one more seat.

GOP candidates won 11 seats after entering Election Day with a 10-9 advantage over Democrats.

Republicans, however, fell short of their goal of gaining three votes to reach a supermajority of 13, which would have given them the ability to approve borrowing.

County Executive Edward Mangano and GOP lawmakers have tried to borrow to pay for tax refunds in recent years but have been blocked by Democrats.

None of the 14 candidates seeking re-election lost, according to final unofficial returns.

Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), 79, retained her seat in the 13th District against Democrat Edward J. Kraus, 31, of North Bellmore. She said before the results that both parties' goal should be to "put aside politics."

Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport), 39, congratulated Republicans for their gains, but said he was glad Democrats staved off the supermajority.

Abrahams defeated Republican Laurette Gregory, 44, of Roosevelt, in the 1st District.

"The Republican message was short and sweet and easy to convey to the public," Abrahams said. "It means we have to work together."

In the last race to be decided, Delia M. DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove), 45, the current 18th District legislator, beat Republican John P. DiMascio, 69, of Glen Cove, in the 11th District. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn), the 11th District incumbent, ran for North Hempstead town clerk. Wink and DeRiggi-Whitton were redistricted into the same seat.

Republican Donald MacKenzie, 43, of Oyster Bay defeated Democrat David Gugerty, 51, of Bayville, in the race for DeRiggi-Whitton's old 18th District seat.

Democrat Laura Curran, 45, topped Republican Debra Pugliese, 46, in the 5th District in a race to replace departing Legis. Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin). Pugliese and Curran both live in Baldwin; Curran is a former aide to county executive candidate Thomas Suozzi.

Curran attributed her victory to "very solid grassroots effort and knocking on lots of doors."

Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), 49, a 12-year incumbent, defeated Bellmore Republican Steven Rhoads, 44, in the 19th District.

Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), 74, beat Republican Louis Imbroto, 29, of Plainview, in the 16th District.

Incumbent Robert Troiano Jr., 60, (D-Westbury) defeated Republican Pepitz Blanchard, 52, of Westbury, in the 2nd District.

Carrié Solages (D-Elmont), 34, won her race against Republican Naomie Jean-Philippe, 25, of Elmont, in the 3rd District.

Howard J. Kopel (R-Lawrence) beat Democrat Lisa Daniels of East Rockaway in the 7th District.

Incumbent Richard J. Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park), 53, defeated Democrat Dolores Sedacca, 65, the former East Williston mayor, in the 9th District.

In the 10th District, Democrat Ellen Birnbaum, 58, of Great Neck, beat Republican Jane Centrella, 52, of New Hyde Park, in a race with no incumbent. Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) gave up a seat to run for North Hempstead supervisor.

Dennis Dunne Sr. (R-Levittown), 63, topped Democrat Jonathan C. Clarke, 36, of Levittown, in the 15th District.

Rose Marie Walker (R-Hicksville), 62, beat Democrat Frederick W. Hagemann III, 54, of Hicksville, in the 17th District.

In the 12th and 6th districts, Democrats picked two candidates who did not live in their districts and they were removed from the ballot. Michael Venditto (R-Massapequa), 32, and Francis Becker (R-Lynbrook), 60, were assured new terms in the 12th and 6th, respectively.

In the 8th and 14th districts, Democratic candidates did not file sufficient petitions, board of elections officials determined. Vincent Muscarella (R-West Hempstead), 59, was assured a new term, as was Republican Laura Schaefer, 45, of Westbury, who ran to replace fellow Republican Joseph V. Belesi of Farmingdale.

In the 4th District, Republicans also had a guaranteed win -- incumbent Denise A. Ford, 62, of Long Beach, a registered Democrat who consistently votes for the GOP majority, ran unopposed.

Republicans had an 11-8 majority going in to the 2011 elections and had had the majority since 2009.

Legislators are elected for two-year terms.

With Robert Brodsky

Republicans had an 11-8 majority going in to the 2011 elections and had had the majority since 2009. Legislators are elected for two-year terms.