STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- GOP District Attorney Daniel Donovan swept to a third-term victory last night, easily besting Democrat Michael Ryan, and with a bigger margin of victory than he had against Ryan in their 2007 matchup.
"I am deeply indebted and grateful to you," Donovan told a cheering throng of more than 300 supporters at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Donovan took 12,331 votes, or 70 percent, to Ryan's 5,248 votes, or 30 percent, according to unofficial Board of Elections figures released early today.
The Associated Press had those same figures, but said that it represented only 70 percent of the total vote.
But Donovan's camp said that with 90 percent of the vote counted last night, Donovan had 16,889 votes, or 69 percent, to Ryan's 7,712 votes, or 31 percent.
By any count, Donovan did better against Ryan than he did four years ago, when Donovan got 68 percent of the vote, even though Ryan had the Conservative Party line this year.
"Conservatives apparently felt differently and voted for me anyway," said Donovan, who had Conservative support in his two prior elections.
The Donovan camp contended that Conservative Borough President James P. Molinaro engineered the party endorsement for Ryan after feuding with Donovan over a case involving Molinaro's grandson.
Molinaro has denied the charge.
"I will never compromise the integrity of my office or my integrity for any person," Donovan said.
Molinaro could not be reached for comment.
PERFORMANCE KEY
Donovan said that his performance in office was the key to victory.
On the stump, he touted the Island's status as the safest community of its size in the nation. He also batted away Ryan's criticism that Donovan hadn't done enough to attack the borough's prescription drug abuse problem.
"I've earned the people's respect in eight years," said Donovan, who was first elected in 2003. "We proved ourselves to the voters."
It was the lowest turnout seen in an Island district attorney's race in recent years.
Turnout was particularly low on the Democratic North Shore, where Ryan needed to rack up a big vote.
Speaking at La Strada restaurant, New Dorp, Ryan said, "I say to Dan Donovan, you have the safety and security of my family in your hands for the next four years. I will be watching you every step of the way. I will be on your back."
Ryan would not rule out running for D.A. again.
"I am as feisty as ever," he said. "Four years is a long time. I thought the results would be better than they were four years ago; they weren't.
Ryan said he was "happy" with the support he got from Conservatives.
In calling to concede, Ryan said, "I told (Donovan) I was getting tired of congratulating him. I want to beat him next time."
Donovan thanked those who had worked on his campaign, including Molinari and GOP chairman Robert Scamardella.
Donovan singled out Ronald Carara, his office's chief administrator, for praise.
Saying he loved him "like a brother," and calling him "the general" of the campaign, Donovan said, "He is the reason we got the vote we got ... He is the reason I am going to be the district attorney for the next four years."
Molinari lashed out at New York Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Comptroller John Liu and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, who had endorsed Ryan.
Liu was with Ryan last night.
Schumer, Molinari said, had praised Donovan's work in the past.
"He tries to play both sides of the street," Molinari said. "He thinks we're damn fools on Staten Island."
Schumer could not be reached for comment.
But Molinari lauded Democratic City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, whom he said, "did the right thing. She rose above politics and refused to endorse the Democrat. She won enormous respect from me and from our party."
He said that could play in Ms. Quinn's favor here if she runs for mayor in 2013.
It was Scamardella's first race as GOP chairman since he took the party reins in September.
"I exhilarated by it," Scamardella said. "It was great to see the number of people who got involved. It portends very well for the future of the Republican Party on Staten Island."
MOLINARI INTIMIDATION FACTOR?
Ryan lagged Donovan in fund-raising, and blamed it on the "Guy Molinari intimidation factor."
"That dried up money for us," he told the Advance. "I heard from folks who were told not to give to me. It is time for Guy Molinari to go away. He has been a negative force for a long time."
Molinari denied the accusation.
"The first thing I say to Mr. Ryan is, you lost," Molinari responded later. "By a bigger margin than you did four years ago. You're not a player. Run in four years, and we'll beat you again."
Democratic chairman John Gulino said the party would rebound.
"Don't let the numbers fool you," he said. "We are not giving up. We are not going away."
Ryan started the night in his Midland Avenue campaign headquarters but relocated to La Strada, which was barren of any election trappings. No explanation for the switch was given.
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