Small consolation for local Democrats on Election Night

Suffolk County Democrats vowed to keep on fighting despite an Election Night that gave them little to cheer about when they gathered at IBEW Local 1049 in Holtsville to watch the election results roll in Tuesday night.
First-time U.S. House candidates Rob Lubin and John Avlon each lost handily to Republican incumbents. Democrats running for state house seats in the Long Island Advance coverage area also lost by wide margins.
Republican Dean Murray will hold on to his State Senate seat in District 3, winning 87,097 votes compared to Democrat Michael L. Conroy’s 53,652 votes, according to unofficial New York State Board of Election results.
In the race for Assembly District 3, incumbent Republican Joe DeStefano will return to Albany after defeating Democrat Trina R. Miles 31,868 votes to 20,622.
In area congressional races, incumbent Republican Andrew Garbarino beat Lubin 197,168 votes to 130,430 in Congressional District 2. 
In Congressional District 1, Republican incumbent Nick LaLota defeated 217,461 votes to 172,700 votes.
Lubin, making his first run for elective office, said he’s interested in running for office again.
“The opportunity to campaign and meet so many incredible people has been such a blessing to me and my family,” Lubin said, “I always wanted to give back and felt this was one of the ways I could do it. I gave it everything I had. I got the chance to go and travel miles and miles and it has truly been the honor of my life. I don’t think it stops here.” 
Among the few bright spots for Democrats was Monica Martinez holding on to her Senate seat in District 4, which includes parts of the Town of Islip.
“We’re going to continue to fight as Democrats to make sure our rights as people are heard, they’re upheld and they are protected and secure,” Martinez said in her victory speech.