How Port Chester Voted: Victory for Lowey, Latimer, Otis

As the nation returned President Obama to office for a second term in Tuesday's election, voters in Port Chester helped return several local leaders to key posts, according to unofficial results.

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, was easily re-elected, turning away a challenge from Rye's Republican town supervisor, Joseph Carvin.

Democratic Assemblyman George Latimer defeated Republican Bob Cohen in a fairly close race for state Senate. Democrat Steve Otis also is the victor over Republican William Villanova.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand handily beat Republican challenger Wendy Long on Tuesday, winning her first full, six-year term since being appointed by former Gov. David Paterson in 2009, CNN, NBC, CBS and the New York Times are reporting.

Although some Port Chester residents remained without power because of Hurricane Sandy, village officials said they did not hear of any problems with voting through the day. All of Port Chester's polling places had power on Tuesday.

Local races and results:

U.S. House of Representatives, District 17

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With 81 percent of districts reporting, here are unofficial results from the Westchester Board of Elections for New York State Senate, District 37

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With 81 percent of districts reporting at midnight, here are unofficial results from the Westchester Board of Elections.
New York State Assembly, District 91

Latimer Wins State Senate Seat

As supporters chanted "George, George, George" at a Democratic Party rally in White Plains, George Latimer declared victory in New York's 37th State Senate district just after midnight Wednesday.

The assemblyman thanked a room full of supporters in the Coliseum Night Club on South Broadway in White Plains.

"The people chose these seats," he said.

With 81 percent of district’s reporting, Latimer had received 55 percent of the vote to Republican Bob Cohen’s 45.

Latimer's victory keeps the 37th state Senate seat long held by Suzi Oppenheimer under Democratic control. Oppenheimer has occupied the seat since 1984. She did not run for re-election this year and will retire after completing her 14th term in December.

Bob Cohen (R) conceded the race at the Crown Plaza in White Plains, acknowledging that his campaign — and the campaigns of his fellow Republicans — fell short.

"But that's only part of the story," he said.

Cohen said Republicans needed to build up their party and reach out to conservative, independent and unaffiliated voters in Westchester County.

"We need to put forth the positions we espouse: Lower taxes, more effective government and an improved climate for business," he said. "We need to educate voters who tend to vote along party lines in a presidential election about these issues that matter."