Politics on the Hudson

Republicans and Democrats were both claiming victory in today’s Siena poll.

The poll, however, shows that Republicans have tough fights in two of their downstate races—re-electing incumbents Cesar Trunzo and Serph Maltese—while Democrats have comfortable leads with incumbents Darrel Aubertine and Craig Johnson.

Republicans have so far pumped more than $700,000 into helping Renzi try to reclaim a North Country seat that the party held for more than century, but lost in a special election in February to Aubertine.

And with Donno, Republicans are hopeful that they can claim the Long Island seat they lost in 2007 when Republican Sen. Michael Balboni resigned to join the then-Spitzer administration.

Robach, meanwhile, has the biggest lead among the vulnerable Republican incumbents, and he’s one of the most Democratic districts of them all.

“Siena’s poll confirms the fact that our Senate incumbents are running strong and poised for victory across the state,” said Republican Senate Campaign Committee spokesman Joe Conway. “It also confirms that our other candidates are campaigning on precisely the same job creation, economic and tax relief issues that New Yorkers are concerned about, and our own polls show that they are gaining ground and poised for victory as well. Siena is new to this kind of polling, and they didn’t poll a number of key races, but overall this poll bolsters our confidence that we’re going to both maintain the majority and pick up seats on Election Day.”

Said Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith: “The people of New York want change in Albany. New Yorkers know that Democrats want to protect middle income people, not the special interests the Republicans have consistently fought for and protected for nearly the last 40 years they have controlled the State Senate.”