Barraga Re-elected in Suffolk's 11th District

Suffolk County residents re-elected Republican Tom Barraga by a wide margin Tuesday night to serve another term as the Legislature of the 11th District. 

Barraga, 68, who’s held the position since 2005, crushed political newcomer Democrat Frank Dolan by a vote of 7,215 to 3,696.  He received 66 percent of total ballots. 

“We were very pleased with the win,” Barraga said.  “Obviously the people of the 11th Legislative District, they’re middle income people, they want to make sure they elect someone who’s not going to go through heavy tax increases.”

Barraga, a longtime West Islip resident, said he was pleased with amount of local support he was shown in the results and said he’d uphold all promises he made during his campaign.

“Certainly across my home hamlet of West Islip, the outpouring of support was extremely strong, and I’m very pleased with that.”

As for Democrat over fellow Republican and West Islip resident Angie Carpenter, Barraga credited Bellone’s campaign finances as the main determinant. 

“I think Angie Carpenter did a great job, getting out there and putting out all sorts of time and effort,” Barraga said.  “I think one of the biggest challenges she faced was she didn’t have the funding, which wasn’t the case with Bellone, who showed up with about $3 million.  She probably had one-fifth of that to spend.  Money certainly makes a difference.”

He said he’d continue to maintain his fiscal conservative attitude in 2012 and work with his colleagues to control spending and limit layoffs. 

“The county faces some real fiscal challenges,” he said. “There’s a proposed budget which I’m getting a grasp on now and will make a decision on whether or not I can support this. Certainly my people, the people I represent here in West Islip, cannot afford any more tax increases, and I’ve never been a fan of layoffs. I think we’re down to the bone as it is.”