Santino Concedes Town Of Hempstead Race To Gillen

After a long night, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino officially conceded his race to his Democratic opponent, Laura Gillen. Santino's concession means that Gillen is officially the first Democrat in 100 years to hold the highest office in Hempstead Town, long a bastion of Republican control.

Gillen, a Rockville Centre attorney, is a political newcomer, having held no elected office before. But she still managed to unseat Santino, who won his seat just two years ago. His defeat also makes him one of the shortest-serving town supervisors in recent memory.

"I congratulate Ms. Gillen on her victory and wish her the best of success as she assumes the position of Hempstead Town Supervisor," Santino said in a statement. "I look forward to working cooperatively with her to ensure a smooth transition for our township’s residents."

Santino's ouster comes amid ongoing feuds he's had with fellow Republicans on the Town of Hempstead board. Both Bruce Blakeman and Erin King Sweeney have criticized Santino and the way he runs the town in recent months, calling him a dictator and comparing his tenure to that of third-world rulers.

"Congratulations to Laura Gillen for a historic victory. Laura Gillen and [county executive-elect] Laura Curran made history today and finally broke the glass ceiling," King Sweeney said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Supervisor-Elect Gillen on the Town Board. As a proud Republican, I look forward to working to rebuilding the party and restoring it to its true principles and firmly rejecting the misguided politics of intimidation and ego."

Blakeman, a longtime Republican and former presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, even went so far as to endorse Gillen in the race over Santino.

Photo: Laura Gillen campaign