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Senate Democrats Hope For Blue Wave As Republicans See Red

By: 
Nick Reisman
Publication: 
State of Politics
Sep
17
2018

The state Senate next year will look like a different place.

Seven Democratic incumbents lost their primary bids last Thursday, while five Republicans are retiring — an unnaturally large amount of churn for the 63-member chamber that’s become the focal point for liberals and the final lever of GOP power statewide in New York.

Battle for control of the chamber won’t be played out in just in enclaves of New York City, but suburban districts.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, were practically giddy at the turnout last Thursday and the potential to have it continue through November.

And already, traditional allies of Republicans are backing their candidates.

The Long Island Contractors Association on Oct. 29 will host a fundraiser for Jim Gaughran, the Democrat challenging Senate Education Committee Chairman Carl Marcellino.

“The thousands of men, women, and companies who make up the Long Island Contractors Association are essential for our communities and I am deeply honored to have earned their support,” Gaughran said.

“For too long Long Island has been under-served by state government, and I am going to fight to ensure we finally get real tax relief and our fair share of state education aid, investment, and infrastructure support.”