Sam Desmond added to this story.
The decadent and swanky Stereo Garden in Patchogue was an apropos setting for the overwhelming Republican victory party on Election Night.
Decked out in red, white, and blue balloons, lights, and 3D stars, the Stereo Garden displayed campaign signs throughout its entryway and stage for candidates.
Suffolk County Republicans came out in full force, taking control of the Suffolk County Legislature, unseating the Democratic majority leader Rob Calarco and taking control of the 18-seat body. They gathered to watch results and celebrate victories at Stereo Garden in Patchogue, as they swept the county for several key seats.
Republican candidate Dominick Thorne unseated Suffolk County presiding officer Rob Calarco with 54 percent with 6,611 votes, to Calarco’s 45 percent of the vote, 5.627 votes, for District 7. This would have been Calarco’s final term as legislator after serving a total of 10 years in the seat.
“I feel grateful and honored that the voters have chosen me to represent them in the 7th Legislative District,” Thorne said after his victory. “I wish Rob Calarco the very best. We had a very clear message; the voters want a change in this district and that’s what we got.”
Special election incumbent Republican James Mazzarella took the win for Suffolk County’s 3rd district against former Legis. Kate Browning with 66 percent of the vote and 7,525 votes to her 32 percent of the vote, and 3,708 votes.
“This campaign was no different than my campaign in the spring; it is about people and the people have spoken in a very big way!” he said after his victory. “I am humbled by the groundswell of support; now it’s time to get to work and serve.”
Brookhaven Town Clerk Donna Lent (R) also took home a win with. “I know all my colleagues join me in saying what a great town clerk we have,” said Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine on her win. “Voters agreed, 2 to 1, to reelect Donna Lent.”
“Thank you to all the soldiers who were out knocking on doors, shaking our streets; you have all have done a tremendous job,” Donna Lent said, taking the stage.
Contender and Republican district attorney candidate Ray Tierney took the win against incumbent and Democrat Tim Sini for the seat with 57 percent, 153,808 votes to Sini’s 42 percent, 114,514 votes.
“This man began his career in high school as a running back. When he went to Brown University, again he played football and he took this campaign every day as if he was driving out yardage every day,” said chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Committee Jesse Garcia of Tierney’s win.
“I am proud and humbled to stand before you here today and because of the people in this room and the people in Suffolk County, despite running against an incumbent, despite not having a lot of money in the beginning, despite not having the support of a lot of institutions, not for one day did I feel like an underdog because of you guys,” Tierney said in his victory speech. “I will fight every day to keep the citizens of Suffolk County safe. I will be fair and I will reach out into the community to develop relationships so we can all have faith in our District Attorney’s Office.”
Democrat Errol Toulon Jr. had won his race with just over 54 percent of the vote, 141,931 votes, against William Amato for Suffolk County sheriff, who garnered 45 percent of the vote with 119,357 votes.
The full unofficial results of Tuesday’s election can be found on the Suffolk County Board of Elections website.
DISCLAIMER: All vote tallies are not final counts and based off the initially released unofficial votes. Absentee ballots are still to be counted and announced.
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