For years I have said Republican control of the State Senate cannot continue. Yet they still have managed to hang on. I think we have finally reached the point where they know that they will not have the majority come 2019.
Last week there was this in the Poughkeepise Journal, “3 NY Senate Republicans drop re-election bids in 3 days”:
“… State Sen. John Bonacic, a Republican who has represented the Hudson Valley in the Legislature for nearly three decades, will not seek re-election this fall … Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, Saratoga County, announced Wednesday she wouldn’t run in November, citing a desire to spent more time with her family. Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, Onondaga County, told the Auburn Citizen he too wouldn’t seek re-election …”
This week the Post reports, “Two more GOP state senators may bow out”:
“… Long Island Sen. Tom Croci and Hudson Valley Sen. Bill Larkin both admitted they’re considering giving up their seats …”
Larkin is older than dirt and already has one foot in the ground so his leaving would be understandable. Croci is a relatively young guy.
Looking at enrollment statistics, Senate Districts 3, 39 and 42 are now majority Democrat. SD-43 has a slight Republican advantage and SD-50 is evenly split. Republicans would have a hard time keeping these seats even with incumbents running.