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Results: Bellone Cruises To Victory In Suffolk County Executive Race

YAPHANK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Democrat Steve Bellone -- the Babylon town supervisor for the past 10 years -- defeated Republican treasurer Angie Carpenter on Tuesday night in the race for Suffolk County executive.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On The Bellone Victory

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Bellone took the county's highest elected office with 57 percent of the vote to 43 percent for Carpenter, according to unofficial results.

The new executive, the top elected official in eastern Long Island, faces an estimated $135 million deficit and the prospect of laying off more than 700 county workers.

The race was expected to be a contest that could have vaulted a popular incumbent into position as a favorite for the 2014 Republican nomination for governor. But then Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy announced he would not run for a third term following an agreement with investigators looking into campaign fundraising irregularities.

Bellone cast his ballot at West Babylon Junior High School Tuesday morning.

"Cautiously optimistic, you know. I think we have a beautiful day today, a 70 degree day on Election Day is a good sign, I think, for us and our team," he said.

Steve Bellone
Democrat Steve Bellone voting at West Babylon Jr High School on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 (credit: Mona Rivera/1010 WINS)

Carpenter, the Republican county treasurer, voted at the Beach Street Middle School in her home down of West Islip.

"I'm cautiously optimistic, guardedly optimistic, but feeling optimistic nonetheless," she said.

WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs With The Candidates

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In Commack, Joe Savage cast his ballot for candidates who he believes will balance the budget like he said his family does at home.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports

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"In your household, you always know 'I don't need that.' There's want and there's need," he said.

Some people seem to be voting with their pocketbooks.

"My taxes are killing me," one said.

In all, a total of 160 elected offices at the county and local levels were up for grabs on Long Island.

What are your thoughts on the Long Island races? Sound off in the comments section below!

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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