Cohen Concedes, Oppenheimer Takes 37th State Senate Seat

Bob Cohen's bid for New York State Senate ended Monday, as the Republican candidate finished a month-long stalemate in the 37th district by conceding to Democrat Suzi Oppenheimer.

The race had been when the close finish forced absentee ballot counts to decide a winner. During those vote counts, Oppenheimer built a 300-vote lead in the race with only about 700 uncounted votes remaining, according the Westchester Board of Elections. On Monday Cohen said the lead was too great to overcome.

"Although other people have suggested that I push for a hand re-count, I do not believe that is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Westchester County," Cohen said from his campaign headquarters in White Plains. "I think the cost of that would be prohibitive and I don't think the outcome would be any different."

Cohen thanked supporters, his family and the Westchester County Board of Elections, which has spent the last two weeks counting absentee ballots. 

"It was literally within less than half of one percent of the 90,000 voters in this district that determined this race," said Cohen. "Whenever they say your vote doesn't count it's not true, your vote does count. Every vote counts and in this election every vote was counted and I appreciate that."

Oppenheimer, who lives in Mamaroneck, will enter her 14th term in the New York State Senate. She was originally elected in 1984. 

"After a long and hard fought campaign and a deliberate counting of the votes, it is my honor to once again have the privilege of representing the people of Westchester in the state Senate," Oppenheimer said in a statement. "It is particularly gratifying in a year where I faced a very well-financed opponent. I want to thank my many supporters, volunteers and constituents for their hard work and faith in me, without whom this victory would not have been possible."

Cohen, a Scarsdale real estate executive, said Monday that he plans to spend the remainder of the year with his family before deciding his future in politics. He added that facing Oppenheimer, a long-time incumbent, has been a wonderful personal experience.

"Win, lose, or draw this was the most amazing experience—besides getting married to my wife of 27 years and my three children—this was the most amazing, great experience," he said. "I would have liked to see a different outcome obviously, but I am very proud and I think I'm a better person for having done this and it is something that I would not trade for anything."

Despite the loss in the 37th district, the Republican party is still expected to control the state Senate. Cohen said he hopes to see both parties work together to improve some of Albany's well-documented problems. He added that the close margin in a district controlled by Oppenheimer for so long shows that voters are looking for a change in the way business is handled in Albany.

"The people of this district want to see their legislators work in a non-partisan fashion—to work with both sides," Cohen said. "I hope that Senator Oppenheimer and others realize that we have got to work together."

The 37th State Senate District includes Harrison, Mamaroneck, New Castle, North Castle, Ossining, Rye, Scarsdale, New Rochelle and White Plains.