Rockland’s Weider Concedes After 61-Vote Loss

Rockland County Majority Leader Aron Wieder on Wednesday conceded defeat in his Democrat primary run for Assembly, after a tally of absentee ballots left him just 61 votes short of victory.

Wieder called Elisa Tutini to congratulate her and wish her well in her general election race in November against her Republican opponent.

“This campaign was an amazing experience,” Wieder told Hamodia. “I was surprised by the support I got outside the hemishe community, particularly in Orange County. We came very close to winning this primary. It was a grassroots campaign with many volunteers and I can’t thank them enough. I also would like to thank every single voter for coming out to vote. It is an honor to be on a ballot and get the support of fellow citizens.”

Last week’s primary resulted in victory for Tutini of Monroe by a margin of 1,141-1,034, a difference of only 107 votes. This week’s count of absentee ballots narrowed the margin, but left Tutini with the party nomination.

Tutuni, who is also on the left-leaning Working Families Party ballot, now faces Deerpark Town Supervisor Karl Brabenec, a conservative Republican.

“I congratulate Ms. Tutini on winning the Democratic primary and I look forward to a competitive and clean race ahead,” said Brabenec in a statement to Hamodia.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the September 19th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.