Castelli Celebrates Victory With Supporters

The music still blared late Tuesday night in an Armonk hotel, as Robert Castelli and his supporters celebrated his victory in this week's special election for the 89th District Assembly seat.

If those in attendence had any doubts early Tuesday night it didn't show.  The atmosphere in the room was upbeat before even the first poll results rolled in.

"It was amazing to me, never have I seen a race come together this quickly and gel," said Luke Vander Linden, who worked with the Castelli team throughout the short campaign. "It was an amazing, volunteer, grassroots effort."

Loud cheers echoed through the hotel lobby as each update inched Castelli closer to victory.

"You look around the room and it's amazing," said Castelli, a Republican, about 20 minutes before accepting a concession from opponent Democrat Peter Harckham. "I am humbled by the people in here."

By 11 p.m. Castelli was behind a small podium thanking the room for their part in his win.  He spoke for about 15 minutes to the anxious crowd.

Castelli thanked his supporters, especially those who had worked with his campaign.

"The candidate gets to sit above the surface shining in the sun. But the real substance, like an iceberg, is just below the surface," he said. "The real substance of this race in this campaign I am looking at. Thank you all."

The night concluded with one final request from New York's newest assembyman, who, because of the timing of the special election, will have to run for re-election in less than a year.

"If you see any of our campaign signs around, please pick them up," said Castelli.  "I plan to recycle them."