Patrick Mullaney leading in bid for another term over Petros Krommidas, who went missing in April

Voters in Nassau County's 4th legislative district Republican incumbent Patrick Mullaney was leading Democratic candidate Petros Krommidas on Tuesday night.

Mullaney, 50, of Long Beach is seeking a second term representing the county's South Shore communities of Oceanside, Island Park, Long Beach, Lido Beach and Point Lookout. 

The race was thrust into the spotlight when Krommidas, 29, went missing in April — one month after gaining the nomination of the Nassau Democratic Committee.

Krommidas, an employee at Nassau's Board of Elections, was reported missing from the Baldwin home he shared with his parents on April 24.

His vehicle was found parked near the Long Beach boardwalk and his clothing was found on the beach. He was believed to have been training for a triathlon and was known to swim in the ocean in the evenings. Foul play is not suspected, police have said.

In September, the Nassau Democrats unsuccessfully tried to remove Krommidas from the ballot. They filed a "Certificate of Substitution" to replace him with Democrat James Hodge, a Long Beach community advocate. 

Republicans brought a lawsuit on Sept. 11 and won with State Supreme Court Justice Gary Knobel ordering Krommidas’ name to remain on the ballot.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.