NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Juleigh Chin, running on the Democratic line, has declared victory over Republican incumbent Scott Strauss in the race for Nassau County Legislator, 9th District, according to unofficial election results.
Chin is poised to make history as the first Asian American elected to serve on the Nassau County Legislature.
This year's race was a rematch of last year's contest, which Strauss won, and remained neck-and-neck through Election Night and the days that followed. On Monday, Chin and Strauss were separated by just 25 votes. At one point last week, the candidates were tied before their totals shifted to a one-vote difference. Chin has since taken the lead.
On Tuesday, Chin shared a message to her supporters on Instagram.
"It's official," she wrote. "We are at +77 votes, and Chairman Jay Jacobs is calling this race."
She also said she was "incredibly proud and humble" to have won the race.
"Together, we made history," she wrote. "I will be the first democrat, first woman, AND the first Asian American ever elected to represent this district in the Nassau County Legislature."
Chin thanked her supporters for standing with her:
"But this victory is about so much more than breaking barriers. It's about the people who believed, the community that came together, and the countless volunteers, friends, family, and supporters who never gave up."
Unofficial Election Results:
As of 10 a.m. on Nov. 11, Chin leads by 79 votes over Strauss. Chin garnered 13,964 votes, or 50.10 percent, to Strauss' 13,885, or 49.82 percent, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections. The results remain unofficial.
Patch has reached out to Strauss to ask whether he plans to request a recount or concede the race, as well as representatives from the Nassau County Republican and Democratic parties for comment on when the results are expected to become official.
District 9 covers several towns in Nassau County, including East Williston, Floral Park, Garden City Park, Herricks, Manhasset Hills, Mineola, New Hyde Park, North Hills, North New Hyde Park, Searingtown, and Williston Park.
Chin Vs. Strauss History And Election Night Results:
On Nov. 3, Chin was in the lead with 7,909 votes (51.03 percent), while incumbent Strauss garnered 7,576 votes (48.88 percent), according to the Nassau County Board of Elections.
On Nov. 4, both candidates were tied with exactly 13,764 votes, or 49.96 percent, according to the Nassau County BOE.
Although all 1,083 election districts had been counted, absentee ballots remained outstanding after Election Night on Nov. 3.
The results have been shifting as the absentee ballot count progressed. Chin referenced the close race in an Instagram post, writing, "every vote counts."
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