Residents headed for the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Election Day 2005 - to vote for their candidates of choice.

Democrat Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi was re-elected to his second four-year term, defeating Republican and Independence Party candidate Greg Peterson and Conservative Party candidate Robert Bruno. Suozzi, who also ran on the Working Families Party line, received 178,133 votes. Peterson received 114,115 votes and Bruno received 9,097 votes.

Denis Dillon, Nassau County District Attorney since 1974, lost his seat to prosecutor Kathleen Rice. Rice, who ran on the Democratic, Independence and Working Families Party lines, received 151,819 votes; Dillon received 143,827 votes. District Attorney terms are four years.

"I will take a proactive approach to fighting crime in Nassau County" said Rice. "I am apolitical and will prosecute public corruption wherever the facts take me." Her qualifications include extensive state and federal experience prosecuting violent, white-collar, Internet and financial crimes. She is a graduate of Touro Law School and has served as both assistant district attorney, and as an assistant U.S. attorney.

In the race for Nassau County Clerk, current New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell defeated Tricia Ferrell for the seat being vacated by Karen Murphy. O'Connell, who ran on the Republican, Independence and Conservative Party lines, received 149,275 votes while Ferrell, a Democrat and Working Families candidate, received 132,669 votes. County clerk terms are four years.

Howard Weitzman was re-elected to a second four-year term as Nassau County Comptroller, defeating current Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin. Weitzman, who ran on the Democrat and Working Families Party lines, received 151,819 votes while Clavin received 134,111.

"During the campaign, I heard the message loud and clear everywhere I went: property taxes in Nassau County are out of control," said Weitzman. "We have held the line on county taxes for the past three years, but we recognize that's not enough, because total property taxes keep rising. Since our biggest property tax bill -- 60-65 percent of the total -- is from school districts, this morning I joined Tom Suozzi in announcing that our number one priority during the next four years will be to work with the districts to find ways to reduce school taxes."

The Democrats held on to their 10-9 majority in the Nassau County Legislature.

In the 16th Legislative District, Democratic incumbent Judy Jacobs was re-elected to her sixth term, defeating Republican challenger Joseph Girardi, who also ran on the Conservative Party line. Jacobs received 11,461 votes to Girardi's 6,236. Jacobs also ran on the Conservative, Independence and Working Families Party lines.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by the ongoing support of my constituents and the confidence they have shown in me," Jacobs said. "I will continue to do the fiscally responsible thing for Nassau County, while also looking for innovative ways to ease the tax burden for residents."

In the 14th Legislative District, Democratic Incumbent David Mejias was re-elected to his second term as legislator defeating Republican and Conservative candidate Thomas Sabellico in a close race. Mejias, who also ran on the Independence and Working Families Party lines, received 7,587 votes to Sabellico's 7,184.

"The fact that I won a resounding victory in a Republican-dominated area, in the face of falsehoods and fear mongering by the PBA union bosses, vindicates the hard work that I have done in my first term in office," Mejias said. "I am thankful and honored that residents chose to re-elect me to represent them and I am committed to ensuring that Nassau County continues to move ahead, with County Executive Thomas Suozzi and the Democratic majority leading the way."

Looking to the future, Mejias will be supporting the County Executive's initiative to address the inequities in the school funding formulas for Long Island's schools.

"We simply cannot let Nassau County taxpayers be shortchanged by Albany anymore," said Mejias. "I will make it a priority to stand up for the taxpayers in my district against the unfair tax burden we receive from Albany."

This year's election was a disappointing one for Oyster Bay Democrats. Despite strong Democratic candidates, Republicans garnered all open seats, making the town now completely Republican run.

In the race for Oyster Bay Supervisor, residents returned incumbent Supervisor John Venditto to a fourth term in office. Venditto, who ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Working Families Party lines, received 45,713 votes while his challenger, Democrat Gary Burke, received 22,786 votes. Supervisor terms are two years.

Residents of Oyster Bay Town also voted for three of six candidates for town board. The two Republican incumbents, Angelo Delligatti and Chris Coschignano were re-elected while political newcomer Elizabeth Faughnan, a Republican, defeated Mary McCaffery, the Democratic incumbent. The numbers were as follows: Delligatti, who also ran on the Independence, Conservative and Working Families Party lines, received 40,779 votes; Coschignano, who also ran on the Conservative and Working Families Party lines, received 38,802; Faughnan, who also ran on the Independence and Conservative Party lines, received 35,786 votes; McCaffery, who also ran on the Independence and Working Families Party lines, received 27,016 votes; and Democratic Party candidates Edward M. Dane and Jay Cherlin received 25,683 and 25,584 votes, respectively. Oyster Bay Town Board terms are two years voted for at-large.

"The campaign went very fast and I had a blast," said Faughnan. "I got to spend time with people and the residents of the town. It was the best time of my life. I am excited and looking forward to working as a councilwoman and I am humbled by the people's confidence in me."

In the race for Oyster Bay Town Clerk, incumbent Steve Labriola, who ran on the Republican, Independence and Conservative Party lines, defeated Democratic and Working Families Party candidate Bill Funk. Labriola garnered 40,000 votes; Funk received 24,785. Town clerk terms are two years.

Please note: According to the Nassau County Board of Elections, results are unofficial as of press time.