The Importance of the Senate Races in Shaping New York Politics

Recent polling has shown that Incumbent Democratic Governor has a large lead over his republican opponent, Rob Astorino. Rather than focusing on that race people have turned to the State Senator races in New York State. Both the Republicans and Democrats are waging an expensive, aggressive battle in races in the Rochester area, the Hudson Valley and Long Island. Business groups in New York City are raising huge amounts of money for Republican campaigns in those key swing districts.

In order to win the majority the Republicans or Democrats have to win 32 seats in a 63 seat Senate. There are few key districts that can change the shape of New York politics. The 40^th, 41^st, 46^th, 55^th districts are closely contested.

In other news, with the Governor’s race pretty much locked up, Governor Andrew Cuomo has faced some criticism for not fully campaigning for a Democratic Senate. Four months ago, the Working Families Party endorsed Andrew Cuomo after he ensured that he would push for a more “progressive” New York. In order for that to work Governor Cuomo has to tilt the balance of power to the side of Democrats. Some of his supporters believe that he has failed to keep his promise as Governor Cuomo has not ruled out endorsing a Republican incumbent from Buffalo, Mark J. Grisanti. A key Democratic politician that is pushing for a Democratic majority in the State Senate is Major Bill de Blasio. Blasio sent his top political aide, Emma Wolfe to help Democratic senators that are in hot water. One of Bill de Blasio’s main goals is to break up the coalition between the Republicans in the senate and the small group of Democrats that align themselves with the Republicans.