Politics & Government

Voters Send Republican Al Graf to Albany

Graf defeats Mangan and Fields in NYS 5th Assembly District race.

In a three-way race that included the incumbent running as a minor party candidate, Republican Al Graf defeated Democrat Ken Mangan and State Assemblywoman Ginny Fields, who ran on the Working Families and Independence Party lines. Graf will now head to Albany representing residents of the 5th Assembly District.

With 94 percent of election districts in the 5th AD reporting, Graf led with 49.1 percent of votes. Mangan was second with 28.4 percent and Fields garnered 22.5 percent.

"I want to thank Ginny Fields for her years of service to her community. I would like to also thank Ken and Ginny for a spirited campaign," said Graf. "Many issues were brought up and I look forward to serving everyone in the Fifth Assembly District and to be a part of the solutions to the problems facing the people of our state to help ensure that our children can stay and raise a family here on Long Island."

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Following a September Democratic Primary in which Mangan defeated Fields for the party's nomination, Fields went back on her initial pledge to support the Democratic candidate, should she have lost the primary. At the time, Fields said she felt it was important to represent those in the Working Families and Independence parties that chose her as their nominee.

When asked, Graf said that he didn't think that the results were impacted by Fields remaining on the ballot as a third-party candidate.

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"I think the results would have been the same," said Graf. "People have had enough and need some relief. I am of the philosophy that we have to fix the problems rather than tax the problems. I think that the people that supported Fields would have voted for me if she was not on the ballot."

 

Candidate Party Percent Total Votes* Al Graf R, C 49.19 15,566 Ken Mangan D 28.39 8,984 Ginny Fields WF, I 22.42 7.096

*Results with 87 of 92 districts reporting.

(These results the unofficial as reported to the Board of Elections. These are not the final results and do not include tally from absentee ballots. The final and official results will be certified within three weeks after the elections, notwithstanding any court proceedings.)


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