Democrats flip Nassau Senate seat as Long Island results split
Lisa Vider upsets incumbent Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick in the 9th District, while Republicans hold three other nearby seats in Tuesday's midterms.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Democratic challenger Lisa “Malkie” Vider captured the open 9th New York State Senate District seat on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in a result that defied local trends in Nassau County. Early returns from the Nassau County Board of Elections show Vider leading Republican incumbent Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, 51.24% to 48.70%, as of Wednesday morning. The incumbent has not conceded the race.
The upset marks one of two Democratic victories in the five closely watched state senate contests across Long Island. Democrats also retained the 6th District seat, while Republicans won the 5th, 7th, and 8th Districts. These results align with a nationwide trend where Democrats reclaimed control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress.
In the 6th District, incumbent Siela A. Bynoe defeated Republican challenger Matthew J. Capp, 67.44% to 32.52%. Bynoe, who was first elected in 2024, became the first Black person to represent Long Island in the state Senate. Her campaign focused on affordable housing, environmental protection, and drinking water safety. Capp, a 29-year-old press secretary for the Town of Hempstead, campaigned on lowering property taxes and improving public safety.
Republican Jake Blumencranz won the open 7th District seat, defeating Democrat Rory Lancman, 51.96% to 47.91%. Blumencranz, a two-term state assemblyman from Oyster Bay, campaigned on property-tax relief and reducing state spending. “We just stood our ground, we fought our fight, and we won,” Blumencranz said. He described the outcome as a referendum showing that Nassau County needs local representation.
In the 8th District, Republican Jarett C. Gandolfo won the open seat against Democrat Joshua James Taveras, 66.47% to 33.49%. Gandolfo, elected to the state Assembly in 2020, campaigned on safer neighborhoods and support for small businesses. Taveras, endorsed by the New York Working Families Party, focused on affordability, education, and environmental protection for working families.
Republican Steven D. Rhoads retained his 5th District seat, defeating Democrat Andrew Piddoubny, 57.38% to 42.58%. Rhoads, a Wantagh volunteer firefighter and attorney, has served in the Senate since 2022. He secured nearly $2 million in funding for local projects during his tenure. Piddoubny, a law clerk, campaigned on expanding child care and addressing the housing shortage.
Vider, a health care administrator with approximately 30 years of industry experience, campaigned on lowering household expenses and improving access to senior care. “I’m a bit in shock, but I’m thrilled,” Vider said. She stated that her first priority will be building on her campaign team to address the district’s needs. The 9th District includes communities such as Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Malverne, Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Lawrence, East Rockaway, Long Beach, and Floral Park.
