Greek Americans’ John Sarbanes, a Maryland Democrat and Gus Bilirakis, a Florida Republican and Co-Chairman of the parliamentary group for Greek issues, have been re-elected in the House of Representatives. Massachusetts Republican Niki Tsongas, wife of the late Greek-American Senator and candidate for U.S. President, Paul Tsongas has also been re-elected.
The winner of yesterday’s election, is a longtime friend of the Greek community and supporter of Greek interests Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, who won his second six-year term in the U.S. Senate. One of the most bitter races playing out in 2012, has been the race for the Nevada Senate claimed by Democrat Shelly Berkley, a Greek Jew from Thessaloniki, who seems will be defeated by incumbent Republican Sen. Dean Heller.
If Berkley is not elected, there will no longer be a Greek Senator in the Parliament, after Republican Senator Olympia Snowe’s decision not to seek re-election. Former U.S. Rep. Dina Titus is returning to Congress, this time from Nevada’s 1st District, while John Arvanitis, a New Jersey Democrat and James Kargas, a Texas Democrat did not make it.
In New York, Democrat Rep. Carolyn Maloney has won the 12th congressional seat. At state level four more Greek immigrants have been re-elected in New York: Democrat State Sen. Michael Giannaris, incumbent Republican Dean Skelos, Democrat Aravella Simotas and Republican Nicole Malliotakis. Barack Obama was re-elected as president of the US for another four years, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.