In the special election held on Tuesday, Democrat Craig Johnson defeated Republican Maureen O'Connell to capture the 7th Senate District Seat. Johnson won by a 26,352 to 22,911 margin.

The district was up for grabs after Michael Balboni left to become the director of Homeland Security for New York State. It was a heated race, as O'Connell, the Nassau County clerk, and Johnson, a Nassau County legislator, both ran rigorous campaigns to fill the seat. However, it was Johnson who prevailed.

"As Long Islanders, we are heading toward property tax reform - that will help our seniors and overburdened middle class. As New Yorkers, we will help Eliot Spitzer finish the job of changing state government so it works for all of us, not just the well-connected few," he said in his victory speech.

Johnson will now vacate the seat on the county legislature. The Democrats in the county legislature hold a 10-9 majority. A special election for Johnson's seat, the 11th Legislative District, will most likely be held within the next two months. That legislative district special election will decide the majority of the county legislature.