Incumbent Judy Tassone, R-Liverpool, has won her third term as the county legislator for District 4.
“Yes! My hard work has paid off. I’ve been going door-to-door everyday. People realized what I’ve accomplished in four years,” Tassone said, as she watched the vote-count at the Cobblestone pub in Liverpool. There was loud music and large TV’s with the Syracuse University basketball game playing. People were gathered at circular tables and others were sitting around the bar having drinks.
In the unofficial tally, as of 10:57 p.m. Tuesday, with 100 percent of the votes counted, Tassone had nearly 60 percent – or 2,473 votes. Her challenger, Democrat Carol Sinesi of Liverpool, had nearly 40 percent or 1,678 votes.
In 2009 and 2011, Tassone defeated Democrat David Stott for the District 4 seat. This is Sinesi’s first run for public office.
District 4 is in the central region of Onondaga County, including Geddes, the western part of Salina, Liverpool, most of Onondaga Lake and a small portion of the Northside of Syracuse. Of the district’s 13,676 voters, 64 percent – or 8,778 voters – are Democrat; 8 percent – or 1,141 voters – are Republicans; and 21 percent – or 2,958 – are unaffiliated with a political party.
In campaign finances, as of Nov. 2, the state elections board website showed Tassone had spent $10,027. She had $6,519 on cash on hand.
Before becoming a legislator, Tassone spent 20 years at National Grid power company. In 2009, she retired from National Grid as a customer service representative. She owns the New York Title Company. She temporarily closed the company, she has said, to focus on her re-election campaign.
At the polls on Tuesday, some voters stressed their praise for Tassone’s opponent, Carol Sinesi.
At Chestnut Hill Middle School, voter Robert Pikarsky said he voted for Carol Sinesi because she is the conservative candidate. “I think in terms of conservative ideology, her views align with what my values would be,” he says. He wants to see taxes lowered, spending reduced and a more careful eye when it comes to spending, Pikarsky said.
At the Cobblestone pub, Tassone recalled her long day for the end of the election. She woke up at 7:30a.m. and held a sign to remind people to vote. She picked up 25 pizzas and delivered them to the polling places.
“I was feeling nervous and excited, the same as I do every year,” Tassone says.
As the last votes were coming in, people started to gather around the TV screens, and the crowd became more quiet.
As her lead grew, Tassone said: “I’m happy, and now I can go home and go to sleep tonight.”
(Alana Heller is a junior with a major in broadcast and digital journalism.)
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