Politics on the Hudson

The last hopes for Republicans to maintain their majority faded into the night as both Democratic senators Bill Stachowski of Buffalo and Darrel Aubertine of Jefferson County were able to beat back Republican challenges from Dennis Delano and David Renzi, respectively.

So it appears Democrats will return to Albany in January with at least a 32-30 seat lead by picking a Suffolk County seat held by Republican Caesar Trunzo and a Queens seat held by Republican Serphin Maltese.

And the disparity could be even greater as Republican Sen. Kemp Hannon was in trouble against Democrat Kristen McElroy on Long Island.

Republicans have been mum on the losses so far tonight.

Governor Paterson just proclaimed the Senate “is now under Democratic control” and Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith said “After 40 years in the wilderness, we are now in charge of the New York State Senate. I thank God for this moment; it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”