Long time incumbent Jack McEneny will keep his seat in the 104th Assembly District for at least one more term, and McEneny said it comes at a special time in American politics.
McEneny D-Albany, defeated challenger Terry O’Neill for the 104th Assembly District seat garnering 39,742 votes to O’Neill’s 10,828, according to unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.
McEneny said, though, he spent as much time concentrating on the national election between Sen. John McCain R-Arizona, and now President-elect Barack Obama, as his own.
He also said he was thrilled to see the high voter turnout in all elections, especially in the national election.
There were a lot of first time voters, McEneny said. `This is their JFK.`
McEneny said Obama is a `transformation` leader, and that is what the country needs right now.
He said that this election season has inspired many people to get involved in the political process, and that is an exciting notion.
`We’re on the threshold of a new era in American politics,` McEneny said.
McEneny also congratulated fellow Democrat Neil Breslin D-Delmar, who as a result of the 2008 elections is in the New York State Senate Majority.
`We all have to treat Neil Breslin a whole lot nicer now that he’s in the majority,` McEneny joked.
McEneny added that he still has an interest in bringing Hudson Valley Community College to `this side of the river,` and will work to do so from his seat in the 104th Assembly District.
Challanger Terry O’Neill released a written statement after his concession from the race.
`I want to thank the Albany County and City Republican Committees- John Graziano, Peter Kermani and the awesomely energetic Dan Farrell– for giving me the astonishing privilege of seeing my name on the ballot a few inches away from that of the next president of the United States. I will never forget that. I owe you a debt of gratitude and of honor.`
He also thanked Responsible New York for its endorsement, as well as all of his supporters and Assemblyman McEneny. O’Neill said he is thankful for McEneny’s statement that he is `definitely qualified` to serve as a Representative.
He added that bipartisanship and cooperation is pivotal after the 2008 elections.
`All of upstate New York’s elected officials are going to have to come together in a new, bipartisan coalition to balance the shift in power that we have witnessed today. That we do so is critical to the safety and prosperity indeed, the future of our communities,` O’Neill said in the written statement.
He added that he plans to challenge McEneny again in the next election for the 104th Assembly District.
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