Sen. Neil D. Breslin, D-Delmar holds a sizable lead over Charlie Voelker, a first time candidate for the seat in the 46th Senate District, according to unofficial polling numbers from the Albany County Board of Elections.
Breslin said he was concerned with three primary items on election night. First, was his election, second, was Barack Obama’s victory in the White House, and third, was waking up in the morning to a New York State Senate controlled by Democrats. He said all of those seem to be the case as of two hours after polls closed.
Breslin thanked everyone in his camp.
Everyone on the campaign worked so very hard, Breslin said. `We don’t get elected, other people get us elected.`
Breslin said his hopes for the upcoming session include a health care system accessible to all, and for better education including mandatory pre-school for young children.
He also rallied his supporters, who gathered at the American Legion Post 1520, on Everett Road in Colonie, in anticipation of an Obama victory over Senator John McCain R-Arizona.
`Yes we can and yes we will,` Breslin said of the apparent successful night for the Democrats.
Voelker said he was not expecting to win the election but it served as a learning experience.
`Running was the right thing to do,` Voelker said. `We need to change the culture of our Legislature and how they go about answering our problems.`
Preliminary polling numbers show 69 percent of votes recorded with 65,475 votes for Breslin and 7,149 votes for Voelker.
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