by Carolyn James

When Assemblyman Steve Labriola (12th AD), looked at the numbers that showed he had won reelection by a whopping 80 percent, his first thought was that the machines were broken.

"I couldn’t believe it," said Labriola. "I turned to my wife Cindy and said something must be wrong, but by the next morning when I realized it was true, I was overwhelmed and humbled."

Labriola’s district includes Massapequa, Levittown, North Wantagh and Seaford, and while he did well in all, it was in Massapequa Park and Massapequa that his numbers tipped over the 80 percent mark. "I will continue to work hard to justify that kind of support," he said.

Like many incumbents, Labriola was returned to office with unprecedented pluralities, a testament to the public’s decision this year to put their faith and trust in those who have served and are experienced at the state and national level.

"One of the toughest things to acquire is the trust of the people," said Congressman Peter King, who received almost 75 percent of the vote against his Democratic opponent in the Third Congressional District. "And I think that part of the GOP’s success this year was the result of the public’s trust for President Bush."

King said he was struck as he campaigned by the level of trust the public had for the President, and that was true whether they agreed with him on the issue of Iraq and fighting terrorism, or did not know how they felt about it. "The point was that they had faith in him and the decisions he has to make and I believe that helped me."

Labriola said it is also a matter of having responded to the issues and concerns over the last two years that has earned that trust.

"We have worked very hard at the state level," he said. "And we have put some critical components into place that have helped to make New York a safer state shoring up wherever here was vulnerability."

New York State Senator Kemp Hannon said this year’s victories were not only for incumbents but for Republicans as well who have shown the public that they can govern. "I think we have shown by the things we focused on that we can get things done for the suburbs," said Hannon, pointing to state programs that provided financial assistance to the schools, college tuition deductions, and health care plans, as well as projects that have helped to rebuild the local Long Island Railroad stations, downtown business districts and roads. "I believe the voters recognized that and frankly I am very grateful. While it was a bit of an endurance race (covering his new and expanded district), I got a chance to meet wonderful people and campaigning was an enjoyable experience."

But Democrats had some bright spots. They managed to hold on to Carolyn McCarthy’s seat despite a major assault by the GOP. In an interview following McCarthy’s win, Democratic County leader Jay Jacobs said the Democrats proved the political pundits wrong. "This is a very Republican district that they (the Republicans) wanted to win," he said. "But Carolyn McCarthy has done a great job for her constituents and they responded by voting her back into office."

With the campaigns behind them, the newly elected lawmakers have many challenges ahead.

At the federal level, where Republican’s won the House and the Senate, it’s "put up or shut up" time said King. "Clearly we have challenges ahead, but there can be no excuses, and while the decisions that have to be made will be difficult, these are the times that you live for because you are in a position where you can make a difference."

At the state level, a looming deficit threatens programs and projects. "Everything is on the table," said Hannon, acknowledging the problems facing state lawmakers.

"There is a lot of work to be done" said Labriola, adding that he’d also like to see a measure passed that that will require that all people signing up for flight simulation or flight school courses provide their immigration status, as well as requiring immigration status reports on those who are hired for secure areas in airports.

"We’ve been unable to get these bills passed, and I think it’s time that we put the politics aside and do it because we need to reassure the public that we have done everything we can to protect them."