7th SD: Martins survives 16th AD count with slim lead

Spin Cycle

NEWSDAY

 

4:44 PM By William Murphy

After counting of the 16th AD paper ballots was completed Tuesday, Republican Jack Martins was ahead by 156 votes in his challenge to Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson in the Seventh state Senate District.

“Wine and roses from here,” one Republican worker said shortly after 4 p.m..

Democrats, however, noted the Johnson had gained ground on Martins since the count of 4,200 ballots in the five ADs that are in the Senate district started five days.

“With each new vote tally, Martins’ slim lead is quickly slipping away and Johnson is moving forward along a clear path to victory – counting every vote,” said Austin Shafran, spokesman for state Senate Democrats.

The 16th AD is the heart of Johnson’s district and the most Democratic. The count now turns Republican-held ADs where Martins should do better.

Also, Johnson has only the Democratic line, so he is unlikely to pick up a smattering of the absentee ballots send in by voters who identified themselves as members of the Right to Life Party, the Liberal Party and other minor parties.