LONG ISLAND, NY — Polls closed Tuesday night in the race for New York's 8th State Senate District, where Democrat Josh Taveras faced Republican and Conservative Party candidate Jarett Gandolfo in the Nov. 3 general election.
Taveras, 26, of Massapequa, is seeking his first elected office, while Gandolfo, of Sayville, currently represents the 7th Assembly District in the New York State Legislature.
The district includes portions of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Votes are being counted, and Patch will provide updates as unofficial results become available from the New York State Board of Elections.
Patch will update this story with unofficial vote totals and developments as results are reported Tuesday night.
11 p.m. update: Republican Jarett Gandolfo continued to lead Democrat Josh Taveras in Suffolk County's unofficial returns for the 8th State Senate District. Gandolfo received 48,919 votes (58.89 percent), compared with Taveras' 34,106 votes (41.06 percent), with 167 of 177 election districts reporting in the county's results. The district also includes portions of Nassau County, and these figures do not represent the complete districtwide count.
Results will remain unofficial until election officials complete the required canvass and certification process.
Taveras, a retail store manager and Stony Brook University graduate, has emphasized affordability, healthcare access and environmental protection throughout his campaign. He has also cited his experience caring for his mother, who has Huntington's disease, as a driving force behind his decision to seek public office.
In his responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire, Taveras said his priorities include expanding affordable housing, reducing costs for working families, protecting renters and first-time homebuyers, and improving access to healthcare. He has also called for investments in sewer infrastructure, public transportation and Long Island's drinking water.
Gandolfo, a Republican assemblyman first elected in 2020, previously served as chief of staff to former Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino, who now represents New York's 2nd Congressional District. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from SUNY Albany and a master's degree in public administration from Villanova University.
Gandolfo has emphasized strengthening the local economy, supporting small businesses and law enforcement, and addressing public safety concerns. His legislative priorities have included changes to New York's bail laws, controlling costs for taxpayers and improving local infrastructure.
Read Patch's 2026 candidate profile of Josh Taveras.
More information about Gandolfo is available through his New York State Assembly biography.
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