Ten-term incumbent Senator Nick Spano (R-Yonkers) conceded defeat for the 35th Senate District to Democratic challenger Andrea Stewart-Cousins Thursday.

Stewart-Cousins maintained an almost 1,800-vote lead Wednesday after the machine ballots were recounted. While more than 4,000 paper ballots still need to be counted, it was unlikely Spano would make up the ground needed to overtake Stewart-Cousins.

Spano says he called to congratulate Stewart-Cousins and told her she has an awesome responsibility ahead of her. Spano says there is still a great deal of work to be done to represent Westchester in Albany. Spano thanked his constituents who supported him, his family and his colleagues in office. Stewart-Cousins says she vows to get right to work when she gets to Albany.

Two years ago, Spano won the race by just 18 votes over Stewart-Cousins in the state?s longest recount.

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