Nassau Dems party-backed candidates leading in primaries

Democratic-backed candidates in Nassau were leading insurgent opponents Tuesday in primaries for county comptroller and clerk.

In the race for comptroller, Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman, who has the support of the party, was leading Freeport small business owner Ama Yawson, 37. She was running on a ticket with the incumbent Comptroller George Maragos, who lost the Democratic nomination for county executive.

Schnirman, 39, of Long Beach, who declared victory Tuesday night, has served as city manager since 2012. He pledged to make Nassau’s finances more transparent, institute tougher auditing standards and reform its contracting system.

“Tonight’s the first step in cleaning up the Republican culture of corruption and bringing real reform that saves Nassau tax dollars,” said Schnirman in an election night celebration in Freeport. He would take on Republican Steve Labriola, a former assemblyman, in November.

Dean Bennett, 51, of Baldwin, a Democrat running for county clerk, was leading Carl DeHaney Jr., 50, of Roosevelt, who was running on Maragos’ ticket. Bennett also declared victory Tuesday.

Bennett, who had the party’s backing, runs a management consulting firm. “I’m tired of the waste, fraud and abuse in Nassau,” said Bennett, who would take on Republican Maureen O’Connell, who is seeking a fourth term.

In a Democratic primary in the 16th Legislative District, Legis. Arnold Drucker, 60, of Plainview, held a lead a lead over former Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Lewis Yevoli, 78, of Old Bethpage, who was seeking a comeback 20 years after his last run for office. Drucker won a special election last year to fill the seat of the late Legis. Judy Jacobs.

The lone GOP primary was in the 15th Legislative District, as GOP-backed John R. Ferretti II, 34, of Levittown, a chief deputy Nassau County clerk and great-nephew of Nassau GOP chairman Joseph Mondello, beat NYPD Det. James Coll, 45, of Seaford. An appellate court Monday allowed Coll onto the ballot after a lower court disqualified him because of a petition error.

Other primaries:

Democratic Party: In the race for six seats in the Glen Cove City Council, Anne Phillips, Marsha F. Silverman, Roger C. Williams, Andrew Bennett, Marcela L. De La Fuente and Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews won over Roderick Watson.

Reform Party: In the race for the 15th Legislative District, Ferretti was leading Michael Sheridan, the Democratic Party nominee.

In the race for two judges in Nassau County Court, Tammy S. Robbins and Christopher G. Quinn led Joseph R. Conway and Jerald S. Carter. Darlene D. Harris was leading Elizabeth M. Fox-McDonough for 1st District Court judge.

In the primary for three judges in the 2nd District Court, Anthony W. Paradiso, Maxine S. Broderick and David William McAndrews led over Gary M. Carlton, Gary F. Knobel and Geoffrey N. Prime.

With John Asbury

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.