Long Island Democrats seize state senate seat in Nassau
Unofficial returns show a 2.5-point margin for Lisa Vider in the 9th District as Republicans hold the other four contested seats.
By Amit Chukwu ·
Lisa Vider won the 9th State Senate District in Nassau County on Tuesday, November 3, in a narrow upset over the Republican incumbent. The victory caps a night of mixed results for Long Island Democrats, who captured one of five open or contested seats while ceding control of the rest to the GOP.
Early returns from the Nassau County Board of Elections show Vider securing 51.24% of the vote. Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, the Republican incumbent, trails with 48.70%. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick has not conceded the race as of Wednesday morning.
Vider is a health care administrator with roughly three decades of industry experience. She campaigned on reducing property taxes and household expenses, improving senior care access, and supporting local schools. She described the outcome as a clear signal that voters wanted a shift in leadership.
“I guess people want to change, and that’s what’s happening,” Vider said. “They’re speaking up. We have a ton of people that came out to vote. It’s amazing that they’re exercising their right.”
Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Malverne attorney and former police and fire commissioner, first took office in 2022. Her platform focused on property-tax relief, public safety, and preserving the suburban character of communities such as Valley Stream, Lynbrook, and Long Beach.
In the surrounding districts, Republicans maintained their hold. Jake Blumencranz won the open 7th District seat with 51.96% of the vote against Democrat Rory Lancman. Jarett C. Gandolfo took the open 8th District seat with 66.47% of the vote over Joshua James Taveras.
Incumbents Steven D. Rhoads and Siela A. Bynoe also retained their seats. Rhoads won the 5th District with 57.38% of the vote. Bynoe, the first Black person to represent Long Island in the state Senate, won the 6th District with 67.44% of the vote.
The 9th District covers parts of Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Malverne, Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Lawrence, East Rockaway, Long Beach, and Floral Park. Vider said her next step is to build on her existing campaign team to address the district’s needs.
