Laura Jens-Smith Takes Lead; Absentee Votes Still To Be Counted

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — While there are many absentee ballots still to be counted, after the polls closed Tuesday in the Democratic primary in New York, Laura Jens-Smith came out ahead of challenger William Schleisner by a landslide in the race for a New York State Assembly seat.

Tuesday's count included early voting and everyone who voted in the polls in person on Tuesday.

With all 89 districts reported, according to the unofficial tally so far, Jens-Smith received 1,772 to Schleisner's 500 votes.

Jens-Smith and Schleisner are waging a primary to face off with GOP candidate and current Riverhead Town Councilwoman Jodi Giglio in the upcoming election for the New York State Assembly Seat in the 2nd District vacated by Anthony Palumbo. Palumbo is the GOP candidate for the New York State Senate left open by retiring longtime incumbent Ken LaValle.

The Second Assembly District of New York includes portions of Brookhaven Town of Brookhaven, and all of Riverhead and Southold.

Absentee ballots, early voting, consolidate polling spots: Suffolk County voters braved a lot of changes due to the new coronavirus pandemic to pick their preferred candidates in Tuesday's Democratic primary races for U.S. Congress, state Senate and Assembly seats.

State election officials said county boards of elections have received a historically high number of absentee ballots for all the June 23 primaries due to the coronavirus pandemic. Unofficial election night results do not include the results of absentee ballot voting. The canvass of absentee ballots will begin after Election Day and, with absentee ballots postmarked June 23 accepted until June 30, results are expected later than the norm, most likely early to mid-July.

Laura Jens-Smith, of Laurel, is a former Riverhead Town Supervisor and a registered nurse.

"I certainly never expected to go into politics," she said. "However, first, as a nurse, then as a school board member and president, then as the Riverhead Town Supervisor, and now as an Assembly candidate, my career as been about service. I feel most fulfilled in service to others — that's why I'm running."

William Schleisner, of Sound Beach, has been the ViacomCBS Senior Operations Coordinator since 2007.

"I, as a father of two young boys, am concerned about the direction of the island. We have politicians who love to rub elbows with the rich and elite. We need people in office who understand the problems the working class, poor and seniors face on Long Island," he said.

For questions about Tuesday's primary, go to the Suffolk County Board of Elections' website.