Election Hub 2012: Hayworth Concedes; Buchwald Defeats Castelli

(Below are reports from various Patch staff members across the region. The hub has been updated since its original publication on Tuesday.)

10:01 a.m., Wednesday

Hayworth Concedes

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (R-Bedford) conceded Wednesday morning in a letter to her supporters. Below is the letter:

Dear friends,

The election of 2012 is over, and while the results didn't go our way, nobody could've fought harder or more honorably than our team. 

I'm so proud of the hundreds of volunteers who spent their days and nights working to protect and promote all that we cherish about our country and our Hudson Valley. 

I'm honored to have been side by side with all of you and to have served as our Representative in the 112th Congress. 

I'll continue to do all I can to serve the cause of individual liberty and opportunity that is uniquely American. 

It is in that spirit of love of country that I'll now concentrate on helping our new Representative-elect, Sean Patrick Maloney, have a smooth transition for the sake of our constituents. 

Please know that I'll always keep faith with the friendship and support you have shown, and that you have my deepest gratitude.

Sincerely, 

Nan Hayworth 

1:55 a.m., Wednesday

Wagner Camp: Not so Fast!

Responding to incumbent state Sen. Greg Ball's declaration of victory, Steve Napier, a spokesman for Democratic challenger Justin Wagner, issued the following statement:

"The race is too close to call," Napier said in a press release, adding, "While all of the traditionally high-performing Republican areas have been fully counted, results in much of the traditionally Democratic areas of Westchester County have yet to be reported. We will pursue a full and fair count of all ballots, and we are confident that in the end Justin Wagner will be seated in the New York State Senate."

1:53 a.m., Wednesday

Buchwald Unseats Castelli in Assembly

Democrat David Buchwald has defeated incumbent Republican Robert Castelli in New York's 93rd Assembly District.

Buchwald, a White Plains Common Council member, had captured 53 percent of the vote with 88 percent of districts reporting when Castelli conceded the election. The Democrat celebrated the victory with supporters at Vintage in White Plains Tuesday night.

"I will be working every day to make sure we have a state government that is moving us forward, helping those less fortunate but also giving people the tools and opportunities they need to help themselves and to make sure that we are leading the nation," Buchwald said.

Castelli conceded the race at a gathering for county Republicans at the Crowne Plaza hotel in White Plains.

He praised his fellow Republican candidates, including Bob Cohen, saying, "It was a tremendous honor to run alongside you."

Castelli thanked his supporters, whom he said were "unsung heroes" for the hours, minutes and days that they worked on his campaign.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said. "Rest assured, I will be committed to my job as Assemblyman of the 89th District until 11:59 p.m. on December 31."

Once in office, Buchwald said his first priority will be the local economy.

"We are in need of a well-coordinated approach to bring good paying jobs back into the area," he said. "I know that's exactly what we need, an ambassador who will work to promote the great opportunities there are here for companies to come and really bring us forward not just for the next year or two, but for decades to come."

1:46 a.m., Wednesday

Maloney Declares Victory, Hayworth Holds off on Conceding

Democratic challenger Sean Patrick Maloney said that he declared victory in his bid for New York's 18th Congressional District against Republican incumbent Nan Hayworth.

"Well, I am extremely grateful to the people of the Hudson Valley," Maloney said, adding that he can't wait to work on jobs and helping the middle class.

Maloney said that he spoke with Hayworth and he said that she plans to concede. Michael Knowes, a spokesman for Hayworth, denied that there are any definite plan, but said that concession would happen if the overall math changes. Maloney, as of this writing, has a lead of more than 8,600 votes with outstanding districts in Westchester County.

The returns have slowed from Westchester and Orange counties, with the overall vote tally staying still by early Wednesday.

An update from Hayworth is expected later on Wednesday.

12:58 a.m., Wednesday

Maloney Tweets Victory

Democratic challenger Sean Patrick Maloney is declaring victory, his campaign tweeted.

12:51 a.m., Wednesday

Maloney Leads Hayworth in Unofficial Results

Democratic challenger Sean Patrick Maloney is leading Republican incumbent Nan Hayworth in the race for the state's 18th Congressional district.

As of 12:51 a.m. Wednesday, Maloney has 129,795 votes to Hayworth's 121,116. There are 173 write-in votes listed on the board of elections' site for all counties in the district except for Westchester

Reached late Tuesday night, Evangeline George, a spokeswoman for the Maloney campaign said that results looked good but they were holding off on declaring victory. Attempts to get comment from the Hayworth campaign were unsuccessful.

11:30 p.m., Tuesday

Ball Declares Victory

Senator Greg Ball (Patterson – R, C, I) announced that with 100% reporting he has won Dutchess County by 1,918 votes, with 100% reporting he has won Putnam County by 5,037 votes and with 78% reporting he is down in Westchester County by 3,183 votes giving ball a commanding 3,772 vote lead.

 “It is one thing to make promises every two years, it is another thing entirely to deliver results. Working with Governor Cuomo, in a bipartisan way, I have delivered. In just two years we have repealed the MTA payroll tax, capped property taxes and cut income taxes across the board,” said Senator Greg Ball. “In the next two years I will continue my independent voting record and lead the fight to create good paying local jobs, deliver real and lasting tax relief, freeze school taxes for seniors, and reign in our unaccountable utilities. I’m glad the campaign is over, and ready to get back to work.”

11:28 p.m., Tuesday

Carvin Concedes to Lowey

Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin, the Republican challenger in the 17th Congressional District, has conceded to Democratic incumbent Nita Lowey, our sister site Rye Patch reports.

The 17th District includes all of Mount Kisco and most of New Castle.

10:50 p.m., Tuesday

Dems Prevail in Mt. Kisco Village Elections: Unofficial Results

Running uncontested, Democrats swept Mount Kisco's village races.

With all districts counted, according to unofficial results provided by the village, incumbent Jean Farber won another term with 2,552 votes. Karen Schleimer, a fellow Democrat, won an open seat with 2,446 votes. Village Justice Mark Farrell was re-elected with 2,682 votes. The totals are the combined numbers for each on bot the Democratic and Independence Party ballot lines.

Farber was first elected in 2010 and will hold a second, 2-year term. Schleimer, a planning board member and former zoning board of appeals member, is taking a seat being vacated by Democratic incumbent Joseph Morreale.

5:15 p.m., Tuesday

Despite Sandy, New Castle Turnout Reportedly Strong

Even though power company estimates peg roughly 3,000 customers in New Castle as still not having power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, voter turnout in town was reportedly high.

Town Clerk Jill Shapiro, with an afternoon update, said that some election districts were at the 50-percent mark.

"We've had a terrific turnout in town," Shapiro said. Her updates came before the evening rush hour period.

The effects of Sandy could be felt, however. Town Hall, which is operating as a polling place, started out on generator power but regained its regular power during the afternoon; the voting process appeared to be temporarily disrupted during a switch over period from generator to normal power, as the building was largely dark. However, Shapiro did not report there being major problems for town hall and Millwood fire Station #2 on the West End, which was the other polling place that needed a generator.

Voters were in good spirits, in terms of being able to cast ballots despite the storm's impact.

Diana Hershkowitz, Chappaqua, described it as "pretty remarkable," and that despite the chaos, life goes on.

Jim McCauley, Chappaqua, felt "very grateful," to the town and Westchester County for its elections work despite the impact of Sandy.

5:07 p.m., Tuesday

High Turnout Reported in Mount Kisco

Turnout has been going well in Mount Kisco, village officials reported.

Village Manager (and clerk) James Palmer, described it as "significant," noting that it's a presidential election year. Palmer described the turnout as being "a steady flow all day."

Betty Hunter, an elections inspector for 20 years, described the turnout as "crazy," and said that she has never seen so many people.

In downtown, folks who live in or near the village were asked to weigh in on the election.

Art Nelson, Mount Kisco, feels that the country needs good leadership, which is what voting means to him. Nelson chose incumbent Barack Obama, because while he agrees with challenger Mitt Romney on some issues, he feels that Obama is "better for the entire country."

William Boyd, Bedford Corners, described this year's race as being comparable in importance to the 1972 and 1980 presidential elections. He said that he voted for Romney because he does not feel that Obama has lived up to his economic promises.

Gloria Perrin, Mount Kisco, was asked what voting means to her, and replied that it involves "the future of our country." She voted for Obama because she feels that the country is moving in the right direction and that the president is making a good effort to improve the situation.

For a comprehensive guide to the races and candidates, click here; to find your polling place, click here; to live chat Election Day in the Hudson Valley, click here.

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As our attention turns from Sandy to Election Day, stay with Patch for live updates on all-things political.

Our Election Hub will house information and updates on the candidates, races, polling places and more. And when the voting stations close at 9 p.m. Tuesday, we'll be posting the results as they come in.

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Local races and results (based on returns so far):

U.S. House of Representatives, District 17

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U.S. House of Representatives, District 18

121,911

48.27%

130,462

51.60%

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New York State Senate, District 40

53,230

51.9%

49,281

48.1%

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New York State Assembly, District 93

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Mount Kisco Village Board of Trustees

*Percentages are rounded figures.