Politics & Government

Numbers Show Glinka, Bender Won Election But Challengers Aren't Conceding Yet

Francis Zappone and Jeffrey Mansfield waiting for the absentee ballots to be counted; For now, looks like town board will be a Democratic majority.

As long as the absentee ballots don't sway the vote too much, Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, who handily won re-election Tuesday, is looking toward her first town board majority after six years in office. However, challenger Jeffrey D. Mansfield and Francis T. Zappone aren't conceding the race just yet.

With all 42 election districts reporting, Stanley Glinka, a Republican, received 5,857 votes, or 25.85 percent of the vote, and Bender, who ran with Throne-Holst on the Democratic ticket, received 5,746 vote, which is 25.36 of the vote.

Meanwhile, Mansfield, a Republican candidate, received 5,603 votes, which is 24.73 percent, and Zappone, a Democratic and Independence candidate, received 5,445 votes, or just over 24 percent.

"Only a few hundred votes separate all four candidates seeking the office of town councilman," Zappone wrote to his supporters on his Facebook page early Wednesday morning. "Three significant districts were unable to report numbers because of malfunctioning machines and there are over 1,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted. So, true to the old adage, "It ain't over 'til it's over."

Those last three districts have since reported figures, but the absentee ballots could technically change things.

"The outcome, I am told, may not be known for several days or longer. In the meantime, thank all who voted for me, all who volunteered on my behalf, and all who shared their words of encouragement. I am proud of the work we have done in this campaign and proud of all who participated. We ran a campaign of substance and quality," Zappone wrote. "One enters a campaign with every intention of success. But whatever the final outcome, there is success in the process of partnering with so many dedicated and caring friends both old and new."

By phone Wednesday afternoon, Mansfield said he remains hopeful still. "I don't think anything is decided yet, but I can tell you that I am very busy today trying to win the race of sign removal and I think I'm going to win," he said with a laugh.

"I did speak to the Supervisor this morning and congratulated her on her victory," Mansfield said, adding he had also spoken with Republican Councilwoman Christine Scalera, who didn't know she had won for sure when she ran until late November. "It could be a while," he said.

The victors in the town board race will replace Republican Councilman Chris Nuzzi, who ran against Jay Schneiderman for legislature and lost on Tuesday, and Councilman James W. Malone, a former Conservative party chairman.

Glinka is a Vice President of Bridgehampton National Bank and is president of the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce, president of the foundation for the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton, vice president of the Hampton Bays Rotary Club and a board member of Dominican Sisters Family Health Services.


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