Since the 1964-1965 legislative session, the New York State Senate was controlled by a Republican Majority. While the remaining aspects of the state became more and more Democratic leaning, the State Senate retained it’s GOP majority. After the election upset of George Pataki in 1994, a more pro-Pataki wing took over the State Senate and in 1995, Joe Bruno became State Senate Majority Leader. He, at the time, was considered to be leading a more right-leaning wing of the party. Following the 2006 elections, the Senate Majority was 33 strong in the 62 member upper chamber. Incoming Governor Eliot Spitzer appointed incumbent Republican State Senator Michael Balboni to his cabinet in 2007, triggering a special election which the Republicans lost. 2008 saw the resignation of the incumbent Governor (Eliot Spitzer) and the incumbent State Senate Majority Leader (Joe Bruno). In the chaos, State Senator Dean Skelos became the Senate Majority Leader and acting Lieutenant Governor.
The 2008 election cycle saw the loss of enough seats that the Democrats will probably gain the majority. There are a few problems for the incumbent leader of the Democratic Senate Caucus, Malcolm Smith. There is still one undecided Senate seat. The race between incumbent Republican State Senator Frank Padavan and his Democratic challangerJames Gennaro is down to a 500 ballot margin with the incumbent currently leading. 2,000 more ballots may be counted, which could completely change the election. Three Democratic, Latino State Senators, dubbed the “Gang of Three,” have withheld their support for Smith citing their opposition to same-sex marriage and their desire to see a Latino in a high ranking position in the Senate. A deal was almost reached, but fell through at the last minute. Also causing problems was the recent arrest of Democratic Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate. He was charged with assault for reportedly stabbing his girlfriend in the face with a broken bottle. These five seats will determine the balance of the State Senate.
If Monserrate is convicted, he will automatically be removed from his post and a special election will have to be held. One of the “Gang of Three,” Pedro Espada, had run as a Republican for State Senate in the past and may have ties to the Republican caucus. Four seats could change this entire situation making this a solid, Republican State Senate. The next election cycle is 2010, State Senate terms in New York are two years.
