John Venditto, Oyster Bay supervisor, wins re-election by 99 votes, officials say

Republican Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto has been re-elected, receiving just 99 more votes than his Democratic challenger, officials said Thursday.

The final tally in "an incredibly, incredibly close election" was 23,400 for Venditto and 23,301 for John Mangelli, said Nassau County Democratic elections Commissioner David Gugerty.

Venditto's attorney, John Ciampoli, confirmed the incumbent won after the last votes -- about 450 contested ballots -- were counted Thursday.

"There's nothing left in dispute," he said.

The Board of Elections is expected to certify the race in a few days.

Mangelli was ahead by 68 votes until 1,780 absentee and 51 emergency ballots were counted, a process that began last week.

He congratulated Venditto Thursday and pledged to run for public office again.

"I am a fighter for the people and will continue this fight in the upcoming elections. Look for me to run next year," Mangelli said in an email.

Venditto, who won a 10th term, had faced criticism over corruption probes and the town's increasing debt.

He had no immediate comment.

In his two previous races, Venditto received more than 70 percent of the vote. He garnered at least 64 percent in the four elections before that.

With David Olson