Story Created:
Sep 18, 2006 at 4:17 PM EST
Story Updated:
Sep 26, 2006 at 11:44 AM EST
Democrats are uniting under one man today. Retired judge John Murad came out on top following a count of the absentee ballots in all three counties of the 47th senate district. However, he's still facing an uphill battle in his efforts to win the seat this fall.
It took a week, but John Murad was able to make the victory speech he'd waited for since last Tuesday, and he even hinted of possible teamwork with his one-time adversary, Leon Koziol. "I thought we kept our campaigns on a high level, and I'm proud that he did what he did," says John Murad. "Of course I'm proud that I beat him, and we certainly can use him in our future campaigns and I hope he'll come aboard."
Murad's campaign will have to do a lot better this fall. Murad received more than 3,000 votes in the primary, but his major party opponent, Joe Griffo, received more than 8,000 votes. "It's not as bad as maybe the primary numbers might indicate," says Bill Morris, Democratic Party Chairman. "If you take the blanks, democrats, it equals more than 50% of the vote."
It will be an uphill battle for Murad, especially when you consider no Democrat has represented the area in the state senate since 1950. It's a trend Murad hopes to reverse in November.
Despite the defeat, Koziol still plans on running in November under the Working Families Line. Meanwhile, Murad's Republican opponent in the 24th senate seat race will be Joe Griffo. However, Tim Julian will still run on the Independence Party Line. So, it's shaping up to be a 4-man race.
Despite the defeat, Koziol still plans on running in November under the Working Families Line. Meanwhile, Murad's Republican opponent in the 24th senate seat race will be Joe Griffo. However, Tim Julian will still run on the Independence Party Line. So, it's shaping up to be a 4-man race.
Despite the defeat, Koziol still plans on running in November under the Working Families Line. Meanwhile, Murad's Republican opponent in the 24th senate seat race will be Joe Griffo. However, Tim Julian will still run on the Independence Party Line. So, it's shaping up to be a 4-man race.
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