SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Polls have closed and residents have cast their ballots, weighing in on the race for the New York State Senate's 1st District seat.
Incumbent Tony Palumbo, a Republican and Conservative candidate from New Suffolk, was challenged by lawyer Chris Murray from Setauket, running on the Democratic and Working Families lines.
As of 10:18 p.m. Murray had taken the lead, with 44,541 votes, or 55.05 percent; Palumbo had garnered 36,341 votes, or 44.91 percent, with 127 of 214 districts reporting.
Speaking with Patch about his experience, Palumbo said: "As Senator, I have had over 80 of my bills passed in the State Senate, including the Community Housing Fund to make owning a home more affordable on the East End, legislation to give the Montaukett Nation State recognition, and to help convert the Riverhead Armory into a YMCA. I have also authored and helped pass several bills that banned horse slaughter for human consumption, provided veterans free access to SUNY and CUNY athletic facilities and first of its kind legislation to help families in visitation battles under guardianship."
On his campaign website, Murray wrote: "I've spent more than 30 years as an attorney, much of it fighting for clean water, civil rights, and the communities I live in. Long Island families are paying more for everything while the people in charge in Washington make it worse. Albany can push back, and it can make life here more affordable. But only if Long Island has a voice in the room where the decisions get made."
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