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 18th Legislative District, Democratic incumbent Diane Yatauro received 9,595 votes and was re-elected to her second term as legislator, defeating republican challenger Martha Offerman, who received 5,887 votes and Conservative candidate Henry Nowicki, who received 505 votes. Yatauro also ran on the Independence and Working Families Party lines.

"I am humbled by the continued trust and support of my constituents," Yatauro said. "I will continue to work hard for my district and to never lose sight of our local issues. I will continue to fight for my district's taxpayers against the unfair tax burden 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.

"I thought the campaign went well because our message got out there," said Venditto. "I felt very strongly since the day I became supervisor that good government makes good politics. If you spend time with the residents, listen to what the residents are telling you and you do the right thing by all of your communities, I believe on Election Day, residents will do the right thing by you."

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."

"It was very rewarding to see the results on Election Day," said Coschignano. "The voters in the Town of Oyster Bay spoke loud and clear and I was fortunate enough to be re-elected with an extremely large plurality. I believe that hard work, a positive campaign message and being responsive to the residents are the reasons we were so successful. I credit Supervisor John Venditto for leading the way and setting a fine example for the rest of us to follow. I will proudly serve the residents for the next four years."

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.

"I am ecstatic with the results. Our entire team won and by significant margins," said Labriola. "I am humbled by the trust that people put in me and my running mates. It is a testament to good government and good government means good politics. The Venditto administration has been very successful and in spite of what happened county-wide, the Town of Oyster Bay Republicans were embraced by voters and we will continue to work for the residents of the town."