Clavin says he’s ready to root out corruption in Hempstead; Gillen not conceding

Republican Don Clavin claimed victory in the race for Hempstead town supervisor, but Democratic incumbent Laura Gillen has not yet conceded – saying the race is too close to call.

News 12 Staff

Nov 6, 2019, 12:18 PM

Updated 1,631 days ago

Share:

Republican Don Clavin claimed victory in the race for Hempstead town supervisor, but Democratic incumbent Laura Gillen has not yet conceded – saying the race is too close to call.
Clavin’s declaration came after midnight after results slowly trickled in. The final results show Clavin ahead of Gillen - 74,076 (50%) to 72,711 (49%).
Clavin told News 12 that he will stick to his campaign promises, including calling out and rooting out corruption.
Gillen argued that Clavin is unlikely to do so – since he's a Republican and the town's various departments are run by Republicans. But Clavin insists he will look out for taxpayers first and foremost.
“At the end of the day, it’s an individual’s moral compass – you have to be honest. It’s something’s wrong, I’m going to call it out,” he told News 12. “I want to go home at the end of the day – I have a great wife, I have three kids, and my integrity – and I’m going to keep that by running an honest and good, efficient government.”
Two years ago, Gillen shocked the world when she became the first Democrat to be elected Hempstead town supervisor in more than 100 years. She has not conceded the race, saying she's waiting until thousands of absentee ballots are counted.
"I respect the democratic process and want to make sure each and every vote is properly counted," she says.
The Nassau Board of Elections says absentee ballots will continue to come in up until Nov. 12.
BOE staff will begin to count the ballots next Wednesday.Republicans say they are confident because of an increased outreach to absentee voters this year, and a generally strong standing with voters who are serving in the military overseas.


More from News 12
1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

0:56
Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

2:07
Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:22
Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

1:52
Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

1:49
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

0:41
Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck