Mejias Defeats Sabellico

Last night, Legislator Dave Mejias came in victorious once again in a district that is overwhelmingly republican.
Defeating republican Tom Sabellico wasn't easy because Sabellico is a fixture in the community and has a well-known name. The first indication that Sabellico was in trouble was the fact that Greg Carman who ran 2 years ago had an even better-known name. The Carman name is on buildings and street signs all around Farmingdale. Carman came from a locally famous family and none of that helped.
Sabellico had at his disposal the invaluable help from his campaign manager Legislator Peter J. Schmitt. Schmitt is an infamous liar and a cheap-stunt campaigner. That all rubbed off on Sabellico and residents were turned off.
PBA mailings assailed Dave Mejias to no end but that didn't help Sabellico at all. Mejias is an effective legislator and great with constituent services. It is a credit to the 14th LD that they voted for the best person and saw past all the lies being thrown out there by the republicans.

By the Numbers
2003
Mejias (D) 6,106 - 52%
Carman (R) 5,725 - 48%

2005
Mejias (D) 7,587 - 51.36%
Sabellico (R) 7,184 - 48.64%

Sabellico did improve the numbers over Carman but that was to be expected with the big push by the republicans and the PBA slime campaign.

Mejias proved himself with re-election and while the district is not "safe," Mejias can expect to be around for as long as he wants.