Maher Defeats Spinola in Democratic Primary

Patricia Maher defeated Joseph Patrick Spinola in Tuesday's Democratic primary election to decide who will face Republican incumbent Legislator Norma Gonsalves in November.

As of 11:15 p.m., Maher was ahead 684 to 461, earning nearly 60 percent of the vote, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections.

Maher lives in East Meadow. Spinola, a former judge from East Meadow, is currently a mediator and arbitrator at Resolute Systems, LLC. Spinola also appeared against Gonsalves on the Conservative line, where he was trailing as well. He will appear on the ballot under the Working Families Party.

Gonsalves was first elected to the legislature in 1997. The 13th Legislative District includes the communities of East Meadow/Salisbury, and portions of North Bellmore, North Merrick and Levittown.