Weisenberg Holds on to Assembly Seat

Harvey Weisenberg narrowly won an eleventh term as representative of the 20th Assembly District, securing 52 percent of the vote in a race that extended into the wee hours of Wednesday morning.  

A Democrat and life-long Long Beach resident who typically wins by large margins, Weisenberg garnered 18,989 votes, while his Republican challenger, Josh Wanderer of Lawrence, gained 17,194, according to unofficial results from the Nassau County Board of Elections at 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 3.  

The polls between the candidates were close throughout the night, including a 50 percent dead heat with 55 percent of the ballots counted shortly after midnight.  

During his campaign, Weisenberg, 76, stressed his 21-years of experience with how the political process works in Albany, in an effort to contrast himself with Wanderer, a first-time candidate for political office.

Weisenberg ran on a vow to check tax increases while fighting cuts to health care and school aid. He highlighted that he has helped pass some 300 bills in Albany, many pertaining to health and safety, and he remains a strong champion for the disabled.  

His reelection comes at a time when the state faces substantial financial woes in a still struggling nationwide economy with a high unemployment rate.  

Wanderer, 45, a tax attorney in Cederhurst, ran a campaign that emphasized tax and spending cuts, as well as equitable state aid from Montauk to Buffalo.

Wanderer tried to distinguish himself from Weisenberg by noting that, as a tax attorney for the past 20 years, he has done nothing but cut taxes for people, while his opponent has consistently raised them throughout his career as an assemblyman.   

The 20th District includes the Long Beach barrier island, the Five Towns, Oceanside, Island Park, East Rockaway and Lynbrook.