Port Washington Man Wins Lottery for Obama Inauguration Tickets

Jeff Kobrinksy of Port Washington can join the hundreds of New Yorkers attending President Barack Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C.

Along with tens of thousands of New Yorkers, Kobrinksy entered a Sen. Charles Schumer’s statewide lottery for tickets to the swearing-in. Kobrinksy was among the 20 Long Islanders to receive two tickets.

The Kobrinsky household is holding its own lottery to determine who in this family of four will attend the inauguration, Sharon Kobrinksy told Newsday.

Schumer chairs the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and announced the lottery in November. Schumer said that because of the limited number of tickets, the lottery was the only fair way to distribute the tickets his office received.

Schumer announced the winners in December. He was joined by twelve winners, and their families, from the New York City metro area: Arlene Hudson of Queens; Dwana Taylor of Bay Shore; Gjafer Gjeshbitraj of Staten Island; Jeff Kobrinsky of Port Washington; Jackie Carter of Manhattan; Chenise Marine-Rice of Manhattan; Caswell Morant of the Bronx; Ed Snowden of Manhattan; Mary McPartland of East Hampton; Kathleen Randall of Manhattan; Doug Condit of the Bronx and Sophia DeBow of the Bronx.

“I am thrilled for these New Yorkers, who will soon be headed to Washington, D.C. to witness a piece of America’s history,” Schumer said, in a statement. “The winners of this lottery have the unique opportunity to attend President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony and I am positive they will remember this moment for years and years to come.

In total, 225 New Yorkers won tickets to President Barack Obama’s Inauguration. Long Island has 20 winners: 12 in Suffolk County and eight in Nassau County. Other metro-area winners include eight in the Bronx, 23 in Brooklyn, 18 in Manhattan, 14 in Queens, and nine in Staten Island.

Every person wishing admittance to the Inaugural Ceremonies, including children, must have a ticket. Individuals without valid tickets will not be admitted. Tickets are color-coded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony.