The Board of Elections has reported that 100 percent of the votes cast at the voting machines have been counted. I am very fortunate to be ahead 53 percent to 43 percent, with a margin of 712 voters. Although the absentee ballots still have to be counted, it is not likely that they will change the outcome.

I would like to thank all of you for your support and encouragement. It has been a real privilege to run for office and I am both thrilled and humbled to have won. It took the hard work of a lot of people to make this possible and I am gratified that so many people volunteered and contributed their time, energy and financial support to the race.

I would especially like to thank those people who were so helpful on Election Day. Thanks to my wife Jacquie, my sister Ruth and Carol and Andy Halpern for calling so many people and running to the polls to get results. I never could have run this race without all of Jacquie's help. Thanks also to Dan Paniccia and Sam Terenzi for organizing our get out the vote effort. I would especially like to recognize our daughter Lauren who drove around Tuesday night knocking on doors and asking people to vote. When a few people told her that they weren't registered, she went right back and told them they were registered and encouraged them in no uncertain terms to get out and vote. She even drove one elderly neighbor to vote. Lauren also asked every adult she could find at the Blind Brook soccer game on Tuesday to get out and vote. Thanks also to whoever organized our party at T&J in Port Chester Election night, although I was nowhere near ready to celebrate. I am grateful that County Executive Rob Astorino and Assemblyman Bob Castelli stopped by that night to offer their good wishes.

I would also like to thank my opponent, Dan Brakewood, for running an above-board campaign that stuck to the issues and avoided personal attacks and mudslinging. Dan has been very dedicated in his service on the Port Chester Board of Trustees and I know he will continue to serve the people of Port Chester in an exemplary manner.

Thank you for your votes and for giving me this opportunity to serve you. It is a real privilege and I look forward to being sworn in and getting started.