Thursday, November 11, 2010

Como and Padavan Concede Senate Bids

Two Republican state Senate hopefuls who initially vowed to challenge election results ended their bids. Anthony Como was defeated by Senator Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) in the Senate’s 15th District while longtime Senator Frank Padavan (R- Bellerose) was defeated by former City Councilman Tony Avella in the Senate’s 11th District.

On Election Day, Como, citing serious discrepancies in the numbers, did not concede to Addabbo. Padavan went a step further and filed a complaint in Queens Civil Courthouse to impound the voting machines.

Como, who by unofficial results was down more than 5,000 votes, released a statement on Monday announcing the end of his candidacy.

“It was important to me that every vote be properly counted and although there are remaining discrepancies with some of the machines, it is in the best interest of the community that we move forward and put politics aside,” Como said.

Como congratulated Addabbo and hoped that the issues he campaigned for is not forgotten.

Unofficial tallies showed Padavan down by more than 3,000 votes, and a report on Capital Tonight suggests that voting discrepancies pushed the total to 5,000 in favor of Avella. Padavan decided to drop his complaint and concede.

“It has been a deep honor to serve my country and city and a privilege to serve as a New York State Senator for nearly four decades,” Padavan said in a statement. “Earlier today, I officially ended my pursuit for another term in the State Senate. The voters of the 11th Senate District have spoken and now our community heads in a new direction.”

The 15th Senate District encompasses Forest Hills, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Old Howard Beach, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, parts of Elmhurst, Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill and South Richmond Hill.

The 11th Senate District includes Queens Village, Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Douglaston, Little Neck, College Point, Bellerose, Hollace, Jamaica Estates, Floral Park and Glenn Oaks.

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