Nov 4, 2009 6:11 am US/Eastern
Astorino Unseats Spano As Westchester County Exec
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Rob Astorino was elected Westchester County's new Executive after unseating Andy Spano on Nov. 3, 2009.
CBS
In the race for Westchester County, incumbent Andy Spano was seeking a fourth term, but in something of a shocker, he found himself conceding to Republican Rob Astorino.
Democrats enjoy a 2-to-1 registration advantage in Westchester, but low turnout had Republican challengers hoping to pull off upsets. Astorino lost to Spano by 16 points four years ago, but as voters cast ballots Tuesday, Astorino felt his get-out-the-vote operation would pull him much closer this time.
"Property taxes mean more to people today than they did four years ago when things were great. This is a referendum on property taxes, we've had the 60 percent increases in seven years in Westchester," Astorino said.
Late Tuesday night, Spano conceded after 12 years as County Executive.
"Resonating throughout this county was something else a dissatisfaction with the way taxes are, the way things are, and my opponent was able to tap into that feeling," he said.
Meanwhile, in the District Attorney's race, incumbent Janet DiFiore won as a Republican this time, but she switched parties and appeared poised for a victory over Republican Dan Schorr.
Republicans also hoped to pick up a seat or two in the county Legislature, but will still be vastly outnumbered by Democrats.
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