Dems’ chances of gaining control of Senate looking up

December

The Democrats’ chances of having effective control of the Senate in January for the first time since 1965 are looking up.

Although Republican Frank Padavan has a narrow lead in the race for a state Senate seat in Queens, he may not be seated in time to vote for a new majority leader when the Senate convenes on Jan. 5. That’s because Democrats have gone to court to try to have some ballots thrown out and so the result isn’t likely to be known for several weeks.

If he is not seated before Jan. 5, Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf pointed out today in an interview on Talk 1300 radio in Albany, that will make it harder to the Republicans and potentially dissident Democrats to elect a majority leader.

Democrats won 32 seats last month, to 30 for the Republicans (assuming Padavan holds on) but three Democrats haven’t said whom they’ll support for majority leader. Democratic leader Malcolm Smith has been working to shore up his support for the last few weeks as Republicans have tried to convince them to form a “coalition.’’

Sheinkopf pointed out that when then-Sen. Nicholas Spano, a Yonkers Republican, narrowly won re-election four years ago he wasn’t seated for several weeks into the new year because of a court fight over some ballots.

Democratic control would increase the clout of Westchester, since four of the five senators representing the county are Democrats.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am by Jay Gallagher.
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2 Responses to “Dems’ chances of gaining control of Senate looking up”

smartporpoise December 4th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
“Democratic control would increase the clout of Westchester?” You mean increase the clout of unions, vested interests and sacred cows?
Tim Hays December 4th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
smartporpoise: right on!

The Republican Senate Committee has the best election lawyer in the country.

Look at California in late 1994 when Willie Brown, then relegated to a minority position following the realignment, nevertheless managed to again become Speaker of the State Assembly as fratricidal Republicans—holding a majority— argued as to who should be named Speaker. Brown, the Democrat, won it.

The NY State Republicans could manage the same thing.

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