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Democrats take Senate
According to unofficial results, Democrats captured 32 out of the 62 seats in the Senate. The shift marks the end of an era for New York Republicans, whose control of the Senate had come to depend on a bloc of senators, some in their 70s and 80s, who had put off retirement to help preserve the party’s majority.
On Long Island, Senator Caesar Trunzo, 82, who has held office since Richard Nixon was president, lost by 17 percentage points to a Democrat, Brian X. Foley, the son of a candidate whom Mr. Trunzo beat in the early 1980s. [...]
One of Mr. Trunzo’s colleagues, Senator Serphin R. Maltese of Queens, 75, conceded defeat to Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., 44, a Democratic city councilman, in one of the most expensive and contentious state legislative races this year.
That's it: we have the majority. Now we can get to work changing this state: enact the Brennan Center Reforms, enact meaningful tax relief, bring transparency to public authorities, and finally, after forty years of obstructionism, move forward as one people.
Of course, there's always a fly in the ointment. That fly is usually one Ruben Diaz, the Bronx Drama Queen, who is, as he ever does, threatening to bolt the caucus in what amounts to a bid for attention.
I wouldn't be all that worried about that possibility. Diaz and his four companions all represent safe Democratic districts, and can be primaried. Which, my guess would be, if they're disloyal, they will be.




From the Bard of Long Island
Et tu, Brian?
Then fall, Caesar.
Thoughts
Did Trunzo stay awake for the results? We all know how difficult that is for him. Congratulations to Brian Foley on his victory and what goes around, comes around. Congratulations also to Joe Addabbo in his victory over Maltese.
As for the 4 Dems who vote with the Republican Party (this includes Carl Kruger who when he visits my Club calls himself a Progressive) they'll be read the riot act. They also can be replaced and that replacement will come from within their own party.
Memo to "The 4 Liebermans"
They should be warned -- over the next two election cycles the Democrats are poised to pick up several more seats, first by Republican retirements and then by redistricting. If the "gang of four" choose to make life too difficult for Democratic leadership over that period, they will find Albany to be a very cold place.
If they find it at all.
When the time is right, I'll be looking forward to sinking my teeth into Kruger's ankle (my closest target among the four). He's the Joementum of the State Senate. Now all we need is someone willing to run against him.