Clavin says he’s ready to root out corruption in Hempstead; Gillen not conceding

Republican Don Clavin claimed victory in the race for Hempstead town supervisor, but Democratic incumbent Laura Gillen has not yet conceded – saying the race is too close to call.

News 12 Staff

Nov 6, 2019, 12:18 PM

Updated 1,853 days ago

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Republican Don Clavin claimed victory in the race for Hempstead town supervisor, but Democratic incumbent Laura Gillen has not yet conceded – saying the race is too close to call.
Clavin’s declaration came after midnight after results slowly trickled in. The final results show Clavin ahead of Gillen - 74,076 (50%) to 72,711 (49%).
Clavin told News 12 that he will stick to his campaign promises, including calling out and rooting out corruption.
Gillen argued that Clavin is unlikely to do so – since he's a Republican and the town's various departments are run by Republicans. But Clavin insists he will look out for taxpayers first and foremost.
“At the end of the day, it’s an individual’s moral compass – you have to be honest. It’s something’s wrong, I’m going to call it out,” he told News 12. “I want to go home at the end of the day – I have a great wife, I have three kids, and my integrity – and I’m going to keep that by running an honest and good, efficient government.”
Two years ago, Gillen shocked the world when she became the first Democrat to be elected Hempstead town supervisor in more than 100 years. She has not conceded the race, saying she's waiting until thousands of absentee ballots are counted.
"I respect the democratic process and want to make sure each and every vote is properly counted," she says.
The Nassau Board of Elections says absentee ballots will continue to come in up until Nov. 12.
BOE staff will begin to count the ballots next Wednesday.Republicans say they are confident because of an increased outreach to absentee voters this year, and a generally strong standing with voters who are serving in the military overseas.