Election Aftershocks
By: WROC-TV
Updated: November 7, 2007
The aftermath (11:58 p.m.)
The repercussions of this night will be felt in the coming weeks. To discuss all the events of Election 2007, click here.We'll be following up on these news items in the coming days:
- Low voter turnout.
- Town Supervisor Tracy Logel defeated in Chili.
- Steven Minarik's future. Political analyst Curt Smith ended the show by questioning Minarik's future as head of the Monroe Co. GOP, since Democrats gained in the legislature and Republicans barely hung on to a majority.
A big thank you to everyone who kept up to speed on tonight's events on Rochesterhomepage.net, and News 8 and Fox Rochester as well. Everyone that made this a smooth evening both in front of the camera and behind the scenes - great job!
Odds and Ends (11:30 p.m.)
It looks like Democrats have pulled off a stunner in Victor... or have they? Our totals show John Accorso and John Palomaki have won seats to the town board. However, since Republicans could only be voted for via write-in ballot, it may be too early to call this official.
Joe Nesser (R) has defeated Sidney Farber (D) 52 to 48% for Monroe Co. Family Court Judge. This race was marked by a flurry of surprisingly punchy TV commercials in the last two weeks of the campaign.
In Chili, incumbent town supervisor Tracy Logel (R) was unseated by David Dunning (D). Ralph Esposito (R, Gates) narrowly was re-elected over Susan Swanton (D), 51 to 49%.
Bill Carpenter (R, Pittsford), Sandy Frankel (D, Brighton), Mary Ellen Heyman (D, Irondequoit), James Smith (R, Perinton) all won their bid to continue as Supervisor of their respective towns. Ron Nesbitt (R, Webster) has a significant lead with 70% of precincts reporting.
Geneva has a new mayor. Stu Epstein (D) defeated Philip Beckley (R) and Donald Cass (I).
Republican "whews"; Democrat "Blues" (11:15 p.m.)
Dave McKinley just spoke live with Steven Minarik. He said that the low turnout hurt Republicans, but Governor Spitzer's new policy to allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses "saved them" in their last minute campaigning.
Matt Molloy is at Democrat HQ. Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy called it a "blue night," and although the temperature is expected to edge the freezing mark tonight, Duffy was talking about the near-miss in the County Legislature. Stephanie Aldersley, the longtime 16th District legislator, said the seats gained by Democrats will make a difference.
Republicans hold on; celebrate (11:00 p.m.)
15 to 14. That's the new lay of the land in the Monroe County Legislature. Republicans will continue to hold the majority, which they have since 1992.
Other news: Mike Green (D) has been re-elected as Monroe Co. District Attorney, defeating Cara Briggs (R).
Michael Yudelson (R) has defeated longtime supervisor Jim Breese (I), who continued to run even after being defeated in September's primaries.
Dems win leg seats; not enough (10:50 p.m.)
Carmen Gumina (D) has defeated Dave Malta (R) in Monroe Co.'s 8th District (Webster). Vincent Esposito (D) has defeated Peter Kelderhouse (R) in the 10th District (Irondequoit).
The Dems have won 3 seats, but because of Dick Yolevich's (R) close victory in Parma, it looks like the Republicans will hang on to the majority in the County Legislature.
"It looks like we've hung on by the skin of our teeth," said Monroe Co. Republican Chair Steve Minarik moments ago.
Democrats could be victors in Victor (10:40 p.m.)
With 75% of precincts reporting, two Democrats lead two Republicans in the race for Victor Town Board seats. You may recall a paperwork snafu left Republicans off the ballot in this traditional GOP stronghold.
For election night discussion, click here.
No surprise; Maggie wins 2nd term (10:30 p.m.)
Maggie Brooks has defeated Patrick Christopher to win a second term as County Executive("She's sweeping through Monroe County like a big wheel through a cotton field" - John Kucko).
Daniele, Beebe score big wins (10:20 p.m.)
Anthony Daniele (R) has emerged in a come-from-behind victory in Pittsford's 10th District, defeating Ted Nixon (D) 51 to 49%.
Richard Beebe (D) has won in Greece over Ray Diraddo (R), 53% to 47%.
Dave McKinley talked to Monroe Co. GOP Chair Steve Minarik about an hour ago. Dave said Minarik isn't worried about Republicans losing control of the county legislature, although he did say he thought Dave Malta (R) might be going down in Webster.
Matt Molloy said the mood at Democrat HQ is very optimistic. Everyone is watching the results there, and the biggest cheers are for Democrats who are winning legislature races.
For election night discussion, click here.
2 key races turning into blowouts? (10:00 p.m.)
Big leads from Democrats in the other two Monroe Co. Leg races that we're focusing on tonight. Vincent Esposito (D, I, C) holds a 61% to 39% lead over Peter Kelderhouse (R) with 28% of precincts reporting.
In Webster's 8th District, Carmen Gumina (D) holds a 63% to 37% lead over incumbent David Malta (R) with 18% of precincts reporting.
This makes the 10th District race between Nixon (D) and Daniele (R) that much more crucial.
The latest count with 57% reporting:
Nixon: 51%
Daniele: 49%
Results trickling in (9:40 p.m.)
No big surprises so far with less than 10% of the vote counted.
With 9% of precincts reporting, Republican Maggie Brooks has a 3 to 1 lead over Democratic challenger Patrick Christopher of the Working Families party in the race for Monroe Co. Executive.
Incumbent Mike Green has a 2 to 1 lead on Cara Briggs, his Republican challenger.
The County Leg seat in Pittsford (10th District) is looking like a close one. Ted Nixon (D) leads Anthony Daniele (R) by just 3 votes ("You can't fit a cigarette paper between them." - John Kucko doing his best Dan Rather).
Voter turnout: In a word... (9:20 p.m.)
Dismal.
City: 20%
Town: 33%
Monroe County: 29%
2005 - Monroe County: 38%
2003 - Monroe County: 52%
(Voter turnout in Monroe Co. as of 8 p.m.)
To discuss, click here.
Overture, curtains, lights (8:55 p.m.)
The coffee is kicking in. Everyone is in place. Our newsroom here at 201 Humboldt Street in Rochester has been transformed into Election Central. We're ready for anything.
Matt Molloy is live at the Democratic headquarters at the Hyatt in Downtown Rochester. Matt says the only people there are “media and bartenders.” Dave McKinley is live at Republican HQ at the Clarion Downtown. We’ll be getting updates from both of them throughout the night.
Our political analyst Curt Smith will also be joining us on the TV side for a look at next year - Election 2008. Curt had an interesting take in September, when he stopped by for the primary elections. He said at the time that he believes the three local Republican Congressmen – Reps. Tom Reynolds, Randy Kuhl, and Jim Walsh – all will have a fight on their hands next year. Curt said he thought Sen. Hillary Clinton would win the Democratic nomination, but he said he had “no clue” about the Republicans. I wonder if he’ll be closer to making a prediction tonight.
Several intrepid members of our News 8/Fox
Comments and discussion about election night has been moved to one thread.
To join in, click here.
With 2 1/2 hours to vote... (6:30 p.m.)
... It's safe to say the voter turnout for Election 2007 will be the worst in years.
As of 5 p.m., here's the numbers in Monroe Co.:
City 15%
Town 24%
County 22%The Monroe Co. Board of Elections only gave us countywide numbers from 2 and 4 years ago, but they dwarf this year's voter turnout. In 2003, 37% of Monroe Co. voters had visited the booth by 5 p.m. In 2005, that number sat at 27%.
Polls close at 9 p.m. For us, the next 2 1/2 hours is the calm before the storm. It's time to take a break. More to come this evening.
Voting the old-fashioned way in Victor (4:39 p.m.)
That's the only way to cast a ballot for a Republican in this traditional GOP stronghold in Ontario County. Due to a well-chronicled failure by the Victor Republican Committee, party candidates for town offices are not on the ballot, and have to be written in. That meant Republicans in Victor had to undertake a voter education effort along with the traditional "Get out the Vote."Voting Democrat is as simple as flipping a switch. To vote Republican, one has to find the race, lift up a little door on the machine, and then write in the candidate. Election inspectors can explain that process, but they cannot provide the names of candidates, or how to spell them.
News 8's Dave McKinley poses three interesting questions:
"1. How many write-in votes will be challenged or tossed aside because the candidate's name is misspelled or illegible?
2. Can Democrats benefit from any such confusion; enough to overcome their 3-to-1 enrollment disadvantage in Victor?
3: How much are Victor Democrats, who decided not to run a candidate for town supervisor, ruing that decision tonight?"
Think you know the answers?
Comment on this topic here.
Turnout low in Rochester; picking up in suburbs (4:05 p.m.)
The Board of Election's latest voter numbers show turnout in town races is slightly below the turnout in 2005. The main race that year was for Rochester mayor.
As of 2:30pm today, here are the turnout percentages:
City 11%
Town 18%
County 16%
2005:
City 19%
Town 20%
County 20%
Overall, the numbers are way down from 2003:
City 22%
Town 28%
County 26%
Comment on this topic here.
The 3 key Monroe Co. Legislature races (3:25 p.m.)
As we wait for the latest voter turnout numbers, News 8's Elizabeth Harness has spoken to election officials in Irondequoit, Webster, and Pittsford. All say voter turnout seems to be high, and that's likely due to the key Monroe Co. Legislature races there.
In Irondequoit's District 16, there's a twist in the race for an open Legislative seat.
Peter Kelderhous is running on the Republican line. Vincent Esposito has the Democratic nod, and the endorsement of the Independence and Conservative parties.
Next stop: Pittsford's District 10, where two candidates are vying for the seat left open by Bill Smith, a longtime Republican leader in the Legislature. The contest between Ted Nixon (D) and Anthony Daniele (R) appears to be causing a surge in voters, according to election officials in Pittsford.
The race in Webster's District 8 is the only one that involves an incumbent. David Malta (R) is being challenged by Carmen Gumina (D).
On News 8 Now at 6, Elizabeth Harness will have more on voters in these key races - specifically, what issues are driving them to the polls. At 5, Elizabeth will focus on how today's rainy (and for some, snowy) weather is affecting turnout.
Comment on this topic here.
Brooks: Controversial plan should fuel turnout (1:30 p.m.)
Maggie Brooks, the Monroe County Executive, was one of many voters News 8 caught up with in Webster Tuesday morning. Brooks admits that her so-called "FAIR" plan will likely drive many people to the polls Tuesday.
"It's been controversial, but on the other hand, I think people understand that we're trying to stabilize the finances here in Monroe County," said Brooks after voting at the Damascus Temple in Webster. "I think people will turn out whether they are pro or con, and if that propels to come out and vote, then that's a good thing."
Brooks' FAIR plan is her solution to fix the county's Medicaid debt. In a nutshell, a cut of county sales tax revenue marked for the schools would go to the state to cover Medicaid costs. Brooks claims state aid will make up the difference. This has become a hot button election issue because Republicans in the County Legislature voted for the FAIR plan down party lines.
Comment on this topic here.
Turnout picks up around lunch (1:03 p.m.)
Elizabeth Harness said that a steady stream of voters were filing into Webster Presbyterian Church throughout the morning hours. Elizabeth adds that there was a noticable increase in voters around lunch time. We'll see if the 2 p.m. turnout numbers bear that out. Elizabeth is heading to Eastridge High School in Irondequoit to check out the polls there.
Comment on this topic here.
Comment on our election forum (12:40 p.m.)
Our Election 2007 forum is up and running. Every blog entry is posted and will have a section for your feedback. We want to hear from you.
Click here to go to the forum.
Early returns show turnout low (11:58 a.m.)
Tuesday morning's voter turnout is significantly lower than in years past. Here's how the Monroe County Board of Elections is breaking down the 10 a.m. numbers.
City of Rochester - 5%
Towns - 9%
County Wide - 8%
In 2005, for Rochester's mayoral election, turnout was unsurprisingly much higher at 10 a.m.
City of Rochester - 9%
Towns - 10%
County Wide - 10%
The last County Executive race, in 2003, saw a lot more voters head to the polls early.
City of Rochester - 9%
Towns - 14%
County Wide - 12%
Comment on this topic here.
The races and stories we're watching (12:18 a.m.)
Welcome to the coverage of Election 2007 on Rochesterhomepage.net.
This is the place to turn for coverage of your local races. We will be closely following several important races in our 9 county area, including:
- The battle for control of the Monroe County legislature: Republicans have had the upper hand here for 15 years. Republicans hold 17 seats, Democrats 12. 14 seats are up for grabs this year.
- Oops in Ontario County: A paperwork gaffe left Republicans off the ballot in Victor, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 3-to-1. In East Bloomfield, neither Republicans and Democrats are on the ballot. A lot of write-in votes may draw out the counting process.
- Seneca County Sheriff: Five candidates are vying to replace Leo Connolly. Connolly, his former undersheriff, and four deputies were indicted in August for alleged corruption and abuse of power.
- The weather: It will be a rainy Tuesday for most, but some in the elevations of Wyoming County and even along Lake Ontario in eastern Wayne County could see lake effect. That could lead to low turnout numbers.
Our coverage on the TV side begins at 5 a.m. on News 8 Sunrise. Meghan Backus will report from St. Martin's Church in Webster, one of many polling places in the Rochester area.
We hope to have an interactive blog up by the afternoon. It will be updated constantly throughout the evening, as results come in and stories emerge. Rochesterhomepage.net will also have election results posted as soon as the numbers come into our newsroom.
Comment on this topic here.
