GOPer Golden concedes, Gounardes wins B’klyn Senate seat

ALBANY — Veteran state Sen. Martin Golden on Monday conceded his re-election race to Democrat Andrew Gounardes, likely ending a long-time public service career for the Brooklyn Republican.

Golden, a 68-year-old retired NYPD officer and former city councilman, has represented the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn in the Senate since 2003.

“Although we came up just short this election, I am grateful my career in public service has been full of much success as a police officer and as an elected official,” Golden said in a statement. “As I think of the future, my supporters, neighbors and friends can be sure that I will still always look for opportunities to make our neighborhoods an even better place to live, work and raise a family."

His concession came as the city Board of Elections was finalizing the count from the Nov. 6 election. Golden had trailed by more than 1,100 votes with 1,400 absentee ballots outstanding.

Gounardes had declared victory on Election Night, but Golden wanted all the votes tallied.