Judy Jacobs, presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature for the past eight years, is stepping down from the post, saying she realized it is time for new leadership. Taking over for Jacobs will be Diane Yatauro, who has represented the 18th Legislative District since 2003.
Jacobs will still serve in the Legislature, having just won re-election Tuesday in the 16th Legislative District.
Yatauro heaped praise on Jacobs, saying she hopes to be one-tenth of the presiding officer Jacobs was. “I am proud to be following a woman of such greatness,” Yatauro said.
Of course, the shift of power is assuming the Democratic Party holds onto the seat in the 14th Legislative District. Incumbent Legis. David Mejias declared victory in the race over Joe Belesi Tuesday night and the Democratic Party has repeatedly maintained that since.
But Republicans insist the Democrats have no business declaring victory just yet. Mejias leads by 222 votes, but there are more than 300 absentee ballots that must be counted and the ballots cast on Tuesday will be recounted as well.
