Power & Politics: Vote 2026 - Midterm Elections results for Long Island and the country
Hempstead Town Supervisor-elect Joe Scianablo and Suffolk County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Garcia join this week's show.
More Stories
Vote 2026: Midterm Elections Results
The votes are in and it's the Democrats who are celebrating after the Midterm elections.
That includes many of the races here on Long Island.
Democrat Kathy Hochul will spend another four years in the governor's mansion in Albany. It's the second straight gubernatorial election in which Hochul defeated a Long Island Republican. This time, it was Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Hochul's running mate, Adrienne Adams, was also victorious.
It's the first time in history that two women were elected to lead New York state.
Hochul went on to say that she will always work with Blakeman to deliver for the people of Nassau County.
Blakeman also echoed those comments.
He later took to social media to thank New Yorkers and added while this wasn't the outcome he had hoped for, New York will always be worth fighting for.
A Nassau Republican incumbent is in danger of losing his seat on the county legislature.
The race between Democrat Juleigh Chin and Republican Scott Strauss is down to just a handful of votes.
The race was within one vote by the time all precincts had been reported, which left the results up to absentee ballots.
Nassau Republicans will maintain their hold on the county legislature whether they win or lose this race. But by flipping this seat, Democrats would shrink that majority to just one.
The blue wave trend continued at the national level as well.
Democrats now control both chambers of Congress.
The Democrats flipped enough seats in the Senate to take back majority control and could set up both chambers to be led by an elected New Yorker.
It's the same story in the lower chamber.
More than three dozen House seats flipped from red to blue across the United States, which set up Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries up to be House speaker.
Here on Long Island, it's the same four incumbents who are headed back to Washington, D.C., starting in New York's 1st Congressional District, which covers most of Suffolk County's North Shore and out to the East End.
Incumbent Republican Nick Lalota was able to hold off the Democrat push and secure another term in office.
Lalota won the race over political newcomer Chris Gallant by two percentage points, down from his 11-point victory in 2024.
In the neighboring 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Republican Andrew Garbarino also saw his commanding victory from 2024 shrink this time around.
The Bayport congressman won by just three points over former Suffolk County Executive Pat Halpin.
Garbarino won his district by 20 points in 2024.
In Nassau County, it's the Democrats who remain on top.
Incumbent Rep. Tom Suozzi defeated Republican challenger Mike Lipetri for a second straight election cycle.
That blue wave trickled down the ticket in Long island's Largest township, where history was made.
For just the second time in a century, a Democrat will run the Town of Hempstead.
Joe Scianablo defeated the incumbent Town Supervisor John Ferretti in a rematch of 2025's election.
The two faced off for a second straight year because of New York's even-year election law.
King Calls on GOP To Separate From Trump
A prominent Nassau County Republican is calling for the GOP to chart a new course away from President Donald Trump.
Retired Seaford Rep. Peter King told News 12, "It is time for the Republican Party to separate itself from President Trump and follow its own lead."
King says people have "given up on President Trump" due to his "increasingly confusing and narcissistic behavior" and not necessarily his policies.
Trump Doesn't Take Blame for GOP's Midterm Losses
President Donald Trump didn't take any of the blame for the GOP's stunning Midterm Election losses on his Truth Social account, where he posted "I wasn't on the ballot and if I was, we would have won in a landslide!"
Close Call For Suffolk County Republicans
It was a close call for Republicans in Suffolk County.
The incumbents from all four congressional districts on Long Island are set to return to Washington, D.C., but with much tighter results than expected in the 1st and 2nd Districts.
Neither Rep. Andrew Garbarino nor Nick Lalota were considered toss-ups in their races, but Democrat challengers Pat Halpin and Chris Gallant did come close to flipping the seats as they trailed behind by just two points for some time.
To put it into perspective, Garbarino won by 20 points and Lalota by 11 back in 2024.
There were, however, mixed results for the GOP at the local level.
These are three of the state legislature seats in different parts of Suffolk County that flipped from red to blue.
Those seats are just a part of what is setting up the Democrats to have a super majority in Albany.
Honoring Veterans Across Long Island
Students in Nassau County marked two historic milestones this year.
John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore held an academic field day to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and the school's 60th anniversary.
The school hosted panel discussions with veterans and created a chalk timeline of American history.
It was a way to give kids a hands-on look at the past.
Students also gave back to those who served by collecting food, toiletries and clothing to support local veterans.
Stewart School in Garden City held its annual Veterans Day celebration by welcoming local veterans to pay tribute to.
Students came face with those heroes, who included 99-year-old World War II veteran Ed Muller, who also used to teach at the school.
There was a procession and assembly followed by a luncheon. Then there were question-and-answer sessions in the classrooms.
Over in Suffolk County, the Veterans Day celebrations continued with the furry friends that help Long Island heroes.
Canine Companions honored local veterans for their military service and the difference they make in their communities.
Farmingdale's Arturo Edwards was among those honored. The Vietnam War veteran has been helping homeless veterans get the resources they need.
Veterans who served in the Korean War and World War II were also honored.
Long Island Association Celebrates 100 Years of Helping Local Businesses
The Long Island Association (LIA) celebrated the century mark.
The organization has now advocated for Long Island's local businesses for 100 years.
The LIA brought businesses leaders together from across the Island to reflect on a century of advocacy, economic leadership and regional impact.
The LIA honored Robert Catell, Kevin Law and Lawrence Waldman with its centennial honor for distinguished leadership.
