GOP Seen as Getting Majority in NY Senate

New York’s Senate Democrats have regrouped from the squabbling and disarray that left them out of power four years ago. Now the key political issue in this very blue state is whether it’s enough of a comeback to have Democrats running everything next year. They already have the Assembly and governor’s office and are expected to keep both.

That’s a scenario Republicans are using in their effort to alarm voters and keep their grip on the Senate.

Sen. Jeff Klein formed the Independent Democratic Conference and joined Republicans in a majority coalition, taking four other Democrats with him. He promised to switch and align next year with the mainstream Democrats. Now the GOP is trying to retake the chamber on its own. Polling this past week suggest the advantage is suddenly theirs.

It’s a simple math, requiring 32 out of 63 senators. But the formula is complicated by the odd shapes of Senate districts, shifting loyalties and personal ambitions.

This article appeared in print on page 17 of the October 29th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.