A sweeping and pervasive voter backlash against the Republican party led to a shocking turnabout in local politics last Tuesday, Nov. 2, as Democrats seized control of the Nassau County Legislature, taking the majority by a 10-9 margin. The party also made historically unprecedented gains in town elections.

The restaurant Papa Razzi in Westbury, serving as Democratic party headquarters, was alive with unfettered jubilation and incredulous glee as poll numbers revealed several improbable victories for the Democratic party, which as recently as last year lacked a sense of unity and direction.

Democratic Chairperson Thomas DiNapoli, who has been credited for unifying the party, beamed victoriously as he read aloud the startling results. Among those replaced by Democratic challengers was Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Legislature's presiding officer. With the shift in power, Democrat Judy Jacobs, the minority leader, is expected to take on that majority leadership role.

Jacobs, who beat Republican Lois Weinstein in a landslide victory, said that voters were turned off by the Republicans' "smugness" and "arrogance" in the face of a $300 million deficit.

"The people of this county resented the way they spoke and resented the way they acted, and the people spoke tonight. And I'm so proud," said Jacobs, who represents the 16th Legislative District, which includes Woodbury and parts of Jericho and Syosset.

"I don't know where it's all going to settle down tonight, I don't know how many seats are won, but I hope that everybody who won on either side of the aisle realizes that the people of Nassau County deserve no less from us than to be honest and forthright and to work in a bipartisan way."

"The voters are very smart. You have wrecked the Republican machine!" shouted U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman, not up for election but present for the celebration. Ackerman suggested that the results may have national implications. "They're reading these results in Washington, D.C. and great things are going to happen in this country, just as they are happening right now in the county," he said.

Locally, Edward Mangano, who represents the 17th Legislative District, including parts of Jericho and Syosset, was one the Republicans who did manage to hold office in the Legislature, proving to be too much for Democratic challenger James Keough. But Republican John Canning lost his seat in the 18th district, which includes northern Syosset, to Brian Muellers.

Altogether the Republicans lost seats in five districts - the first, fifth, seventh, 18th and 19th - while every Democrat successfully defended his or her seat.

The sudden shift in power was a demoralizing blow to the Republicans, who convened somberly at a joyless Levittown Town Hall. Despite the figures, Republican leader Joseph Mondello assured the public that the party would recover.

"Let me start off by announcing to the world that the Republican Party is still alive and well, and viable, and will be, when we start the election for the year 2000," Mondello said.

Mondello blamed Newsday for negative coverage of his party, saying, "We stood up to the Newsday machine, and we gave it all that we had...They're the ones in power now."

The Democrats experienced breakthrough victories on the town level as well as the county level, particularly in Hempstead and Oyster Bay, where in both cases, at least two Democratic challengers earned positions previously held by Republicans.

In Oyster Bay, councilman candidates Bonnie Eisler and Anthony Macagnone stole two seats away from an all-Republican town board.

"We're just thrilled and delighted," said Eisler. "We couldn't be happier with the results, and we feel that the message that we have been talking about for the past several months - about people not having a voice at town hall, about the fiscal irresponsibility, the lack of a proactive town board - has been heard and endorsed by the people of Oyster Bay."

Macagnone, whose campaign was directed toward working people in the district, said that citizens will begin to see new results from the town board. "I think that it will be more responsive to the people," he said.

Incumbents Anthony Altimari, who served one full term, and Martin Massell, who was appointed to the board earlier this year, lost their seats to the two challengers. Democrat Frank Goban could not complete the sweep, losing to incumbent Republican Councilman Joseph Muscarella.

Supervisor John Venditto, who clung to a slim lead over challenger Kevin Langberg, survived the Republican ouster. Nevertheless, he said he got the voters' message loud and clear.

"One message to all elected Republican officials is to start behaving as Republicans again," said Venditto. "The message is that we've been out of touch with the Republican residents who have supported us over the years. They're still Republicans in their heart, but they need a reason to vote Republican again," said Venditto.

After the elections, Venditto sent a message of his own to Eisler and Macagnone, one of congratulations. "I think they might be pleasantly surprised at how easily they will integrate into town government," he said. Venditto assured that there will be a spirit of cooperation between town board members. "The residents expect to see a bipartisan effort here," he said.

Anti-GOP sentiments within the town also knocked off incumbent Republicans Fanny Corsentino and John O'Leary, who were running for reelection as town clerk and receiver of taxes, respectively. Corsentino was defeated by Democrat Martha Offerman, and O'Leary lost to Democrat James Stephanich.

Andrea Morale contributed to this story.