Nassau Comptroller Weitzman concedes race to Maragos

Two-term incumbent Howard Weitzman conceded the Nassau County comptroller's race to political neophyte George Maragos Tuesday, after a final count of paper ballots found Weitzman trailing by 644 votes.

Maragos, 60, a Republican who said he "wasn't even active in any political capacity" a year ago, attributed his victory to a well-run campaign and concern over taxes and county finances. He said he spent $200,000 of his own money on the race.

By comparison, Weitzman, a Democrat, raised about $1.3 million. But in recent months he was hobbled by what he described as a severe blood disease that left him in a wheelchair and unable to campaign.

Several political observers attributed Weitzman's loss to anger over his push to consolidate special districts, the tiny units of government that handle services like garbage and water hookups. Such districts have recently come under fire for spending abuses.

This year the districts organized a voter registration drive, awakening "a sleeping giant," said Karl Schweitzer, president of the Long Island Special District Association. "I think we had a lot to do with it."

But Weitzman dismissed that, blaming his loss on his poor health and the low Democratic voter turnout. "When you have a margin that is so small, you can point to any number of reasons," he said. "Clearly, if I had been able to campaign, I think the results would have been different."

Maragos said he has appointed North Hempstead Republican leader Frank Moroney as head of his transition team.