D'Amaro Defeats Garetano in 17th LD Race

Incumbent Lou D'Amaro has won a fourth term as Suffolk County 17th District legislator after defeating two-time challenger Dennis Garetano 6,472 to 5,094.

Democrat D'Amaro cinched his lead at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday morning with 55.91 percent of the vote. Republican candidate Garetano closed the race with 44.01 percent of the vote.

D’Amaro, an attorney, said he hopes to continue holding the line on county general fund property taxes while working to create jobs by passing a capital budget that cuts spending but keeps enough projects to keep people working. 

Prior to becoming a legislator, D’Amaro served the Town of Babylon as assistant town attorney and chairman of the Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals. He resides in North Babylon with his wife and two children.

Garetano, a Huntington businessman, received the Independence Party endorsement over D'Amaro in a contested primary race that led to a recount. This was his second run for the 17th LD seat.

"I'm still gonna live here. I'm still gonna fight for the people of Huntington Station and Huntington," said Garetano, at Republican headquarters Tuesday night. "We'll put pressure on whoever is elected and make sure they do the right thing."