How did DiNapoli sweep LI? He focused more on his old stamping grounds, friends say
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, left, and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli campaign in Williston Park on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Four years ago, in his first appearance on a statewide ballot, Democratic State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli lost both Nassau and Suffolk to neophyte Republican candidate Harry Wilson -- even as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, at the top of the same ticket, swept both Long Island counties.
Only DiNapoli's domination of the New York City vote won him a close race in 2010.
But his 2014 re-election proved far different for the former Great Neck assemblyman.
Not only did he win both Nassau and Suffolk -- the only statewide candidate on the ballot to do so -- but DiNapoli also drew more Long Island votes against GOP Onandaga Comptroller Bob Antonacci than Cuomo did against Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
Friends said that this time, DiNapoli paid greater attention to his old stamping grounds -- including more scheduled appearances and a personal letter reminding Great Neck residents of his longtime residency and commitments.
Like Cuomo, DiNapoli got fewer votes than he did four years ago in this very-low-turnout affair. But the falloff for the comptroller was not nearly as steep, either locally or statewide. For both Long Island counties combined, he got a still-unofficial 322,637 votes, compared with a final certified tally of 347,839 in 2010.
DiNapoli's total for this year could still go up a bit as final canvasses and absentee ballots are recorded. Antonacci's totals fell far short of ex-candidate Wilson's, despite national cant that the election marked a "Republican wave."
Both Cuomo and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman won Nassau but lost Suffolk. Schneiderman, en route to defeating GOP lawyer John Cahill, drew fewer votes than the governor on Long Island. Overall, Cahill's challenge failed to become the weak link statewide for Democrats that operatives in both major parties expected earlier this year; Schneiderman won decisively.
WIDER QUESTIONS: With GOP leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) headed back into the State Senate driver's seat, much remains to be settled beyond the future role of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference, with which Skelos has shared clout.
One key question is whether the Republicans might prod concessions from the governor and the Democratic-run Assembly that advance a GOP agenda -- or if they'll want to be seen as "moderates" who agree to some legislation Cuomo seeks.
Also worth watching is whether heat Cuomo took from his base during the election shapes his second-term strategies.
Dan Janison is a member of the Newsday editorial board.
