Clarkstown's Hoehmann beats Gromack; St. Lawrence re-elected in Ramapo

Republican George Hoehmann claimed an upset victory in Clarkstown's supervisor race Tuesday night over longtime incumbent Democrat Alex Gromack.

With all precincts reporting, Hoehmann received 10,186 votes, or 55 percent of the total 18,298 votes cast, compared to Gromack's 8,086, according to unofficial returns from the Rockland County Board of Elections.

Hoehmann claimed victory at about 11:45 p.m. before a crowd of cheering Republicans gathered at the Pearl River Hilton.

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Orangetown: Andy Stewart re-elected supervisor

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"This journey has been an exciting one," he told them. "Tonight we're thrilled by the outcome."

(See Election Night photo galleries at end of this story)

In his six terms, Gromack, 61, had faced a Republican opponent only once. He had held office since 2004.

But this year's race was unusually fierce, and Hoehmann, 50, showed he was willing to use bare-kunckle tactics. By the time Election Day rolled around, the campaign had devolved into a public tangle of accusations on both sides, including anonymous mailers, phone calls and outside help from professional political insiders.

For all the heat and controversy they generated, the elections in the Rockland's wealthiest town exposed an anti-incumbent theme.

Hoehmann's message of change at the top resonated louder, apparently.

Poll workers across Clarkstown said turnout seemed heavier than usual for an off-year election.

A big turnout and mixed support for a "ward system" proposition put Hoehmann and other Republicans over the top.

Clarkstown Councilwoman Shirley Lasker, a Democrat, lost her bid for a fifth term to Republican John J. Noto, 7,983 votes to 9,411 votes, or 28 percent of the total 35,445 cast. Republican Frank Borelli was re-elected with 10,001 votes, or 28 percent; Democrat Daniel Caprara lost his bid.

Voters also narrowly passed a proposition establishing a "ward system" to elect members of the Town Board based on different geographic districts, 8,922 votes to 8,267 votes, or 51 percent. A second proposition that would have increased the size of the Town Board from four seats to six was narrowly defeated, by 8,294 votes to 8,714.

In a competitive three-way race for Highway Superintendent, Republican Frank DiZenzo beat Democrat Robert Milone as well as his boss, incumbent Wayne Ballard, who was running on the Conservative and Independent lines after losing the GOP nomination.

In Ramapo, Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence easily won an eighth term with 54 percent of the vote, beating Republican Michael Parietti by 13,775 to 11,399 votes with 96 percent counted. This was the second time Parietti has lost to St. Lawrence on a reform platform.

Rockland's largest and fastest-growing town has been racked by battles over development, demographics and schools. But voters seemed to skip over the turmoil and deep divisions as St. Lawrence, 65, glided to re-election.

And in a town where Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans, Democrats went two-for-two in seeking seats on the Town Board.

Incumbent Brendel Logan-Charles and newcomer Samuel B. Tress easily topped Republicans William J. Weber Jr. and Timothy D. Scott. Logan-Charles and Tress won 13,944 and 13,598 votes, or 28 percent.

Farther down the ballot, Superintendent of Highways Anthony M. Sharan beat Robert Romaowksi, a Republican.

Justice Alan Simon was unopposed in his re-election bid.

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