Republicans have a chance to retake control of the New York State Senate. Democrats have long dominated the New York State Assembly, while Republicans controlled the senate. That changed in 2008 as Democrats took a slim 32-30 majority. But The New York Times reports that despite having a bigger war chest than the GOP, the Democrats might lose control of the Senate.
The Times says Democrats in a half dozen races are trying to stave off defeat. two key races involve freshman Long Island Democrat Brian Foley who is trailing his Republican opponent, and the race involving the 48th Senate District battle between incumbent Democrat Darrel Aubertine and Republican Pattie Ritchie. A Siena College Poll released over the weekend shows three of four hotly contested senate races being led by the Republican candidate--including Pattie Ritchie.
The last Siena College poll looking at the 49th Senate District race in Syracuse was released October 2nd and showed incumbent Democrat Dave Valesky with a ten point lead over Republican Andrew Russo. But The Post-Standard reports the two candidates and their state parties have pumped almost $2 million into the race. And Siena pollster Steve Greenberg tells the Post the race could get a lot closer as Russo's name gets more well known.
The fight for control of the senate comes at a time when even for dysfunctional New York State reached a low point in the history of the New York State Senate. Though Democrats had taken control of the body in 2008, the GOP wasn't about to lay down. In 2009 they courted a couple of discontented Democrats from New York City--Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada to join the GOP and seize control of he senate. Monserrate quickly returned to the democratic fold leaving the body in a dead even split. Nothing got done for weeks. Then Espada rejoined the democrats in exchange for a leadership position.
Both Monserrate and Espada are gone. Monserrate was booted after a misdemeanor conviction for attacking his girlfriend, and Espada was ousted in a primary after being accused of not living in his Bronx district. He is also under investigation by the state attorney general for allegedly looting $14 million from his taxpayer funded Soundview Health Center.
