With election results pouring in throughout the night Tuesday, the atmosphere at Nassau Democratic and Republican headquarters were sharply different.
The Democrats packed approximately more than 250 supporters into their headquarters at the Garden City Hotel.
An oversized television tuned to News 12, a DJ and a number of large tables highlighted the Democratic gathering .
Dean Hart, who was defeated by Donald MacKenzie in the race to represent the Nassau County Legislature’s 18th district, said he was relaxed as he waited for the results to come in.
“It’s more relaxing [now] that the campaigning is done,” Hart said. “It was very hectic. I had never done that before.”
Hart’s relaxed attitude was not shared by the Democratic supporters.
Loud, and often sudden, bursts of cheers and applause resonated numerous times as the night went on.
The loudest cheers were for Madeline Singas, who defeated Republican challenger Kate Murray to become Nassau County District Attorney.
The cheers were not as loud at Republican headquarters.
The Republicans and their crowd of approximately 200 supporters converged at Mirelle’s Restaurant in Westbury.
Large American flags were draped along the walls and a buffet featuring pasta, chicken and other dishes was located in the back of the room.
Supporters and candidates stood next to one another as they eagerly awaited for results.
Unlike their Democratic counterparts, the Republicans were not getting their results from a television.
Instead, a giant dry erase board was located at the front of the room, with results being updated by hand as they came in.
Once results came in, the cheers were few and far between, coming mainly from those supporters who stood near the dry erase board.
Angel Cepeda, who was defeated by Judy Jacobs in the race for the county’s 16th district, said he was concerned with the low turnout at both the polls and at Republican headquarters.
“The electorate is not engaged,” Cepeda said. “There’s a lot of work still to be done.”
Not all Republican candidates shared Cepeda’s views about the lack of support.
MacKenzie said that he praised those who came out in support of the Republican party.
“We always have good crowds and strong supporters in the Republican party,” MacKenzie said. “We’re very fortunate.”
Matthew Connolly, who was running for the first time Tuesday, said that Republican headquarters had “a great energy.”
“You can feel a positive vibe in the room,” he said. “Everyone has worked together.”
Connolly was defeated by Delia DeRiggi-Whitton in his attempt to become the county’s 11th district legislator.
