New York State Senate elections, 2018

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2018 New York
Senate elections
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GeneralNovember 6, 2018
PrimarySeptember 13, 2018
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2018 elections
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Democrats gained control of the chamber and expanded their majority in the 2018 elections for the New York State Senate, winning 40 seats to Republicans' 23. All 63 Senate seats were up for election. At the time of the election, Democrats held 32 seats to Republicans' 31. However, Republicans controlled the chamber, as one Democratic state senator caucused with the Republican Party.

Ballotpedia identified 12 of the races as battlegrounds, including 10 Republican-held districts and two Democratic-held districts. Democrats won nine of those elections, including seven in Republican-held seats, while Republicans won the remaining three.

Heading into the election, New York had been under divided government since 2010 when Republicans took control of the state Senate. This broke the state's Democratic trifecta that first formed after the 2008 elections when Democrats won the state Senate for the first time since 1964. Democrats again won a numerical majority in the Senate in 2012, but the Republican-IDC-Felder coalition maintained control of the chamber.[1] Heading into the election, Democrats had controlled the governor's office since 2006 and the state Assembly since 1974.[2]

Democrats needed to win the state Senate to have a trifecta, while Republicans needed to win the state Assembly and the governorship. Other than the Democratic trifecta that formed after the 2008 elections, Democrats had not had a trifecta since 1934.[1][2] Had the Republican Party maintained control of the chamber, it would have prevented a Democratic trifecta from forming in New York.

The New York State Senate was one of 87 state legislative chambers holding elections in 2018. There are 99 chambers throughout the country. The New York State Senate was one of 22 state legislative battleground chambers identified by Ballotpedia in the 2018 elections. Read more below.

New York state senators serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years.

Democratic Party For more information about the Democratic primaries, click here.
Republican Party For more information about the Republican primaries, click here.

Post-election analysis

See also: State legislative elections, 2018

The Democratic Party gained control of both chambers of the New York State Legislature in the 2018 election after increasing their majority in the state Senate. The New York State Senate was identified as a battleground chamber. All 63 seats were up for election. Democrats increased their majority in the New York State Senate from 32-31 to 40-23. Seven Democratic incumbents were defeated in the primary, but six of the defeated incumbents advanced to the general election as Independence Party candidates. All six lost their bids for re-election in the general election. Five Republican incumbents were also defeated in the general election.

The New York State Assembly held elections for all 150 seats. The Democratic supermajority in the State Assembly increased. Before the election, Democrats held 104 seats, Republicans held 41 seats, an independent held one seat, and four seats were vacant. Following the election, Democrats held 106 seats, Republicans held 43 seats, and an independent held one seat. Three incumbents were defeated in the primary, two Democrats and one Republican. One defeated Democratic incumbent and one defeated Republican incumbent advanced to the general election as a Women's Equality Party candidate and an Independence Party candidate, respectively. They both lost their bids for re-election. Three Democratic incumbents and three Republican incumbents were also defeated in the general election.

National background

On November 6, 2018, 87 of the nation's 99 state legislative chambers held regularly scheduled elections for 6,073 of 7,383 total seats, meaning that nearly 82 percent of all state legislative seats were up for election.

  • Entering the 2018 election, Democrats held 42.6 percent, Republicans held 56.8 percent, and independents and other parties held 0.6 percent of the seats up for regular election.
  • Following the 2018 election, Democrats held 47.3 percent, Republicans held 52.3 percent, and independents and other parties held 0.4 percent of the seats up for regular election.
  • A total of 469 incumbents were defeated over the course of the election cycle, with roughly one-third of them defeated in the primary.

Want more information?

Districts

See also: New York state legislative districts

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Candidates

See also: Statistics on state legislative candidates, 2018

General election candidates

New York State Senate elections, 2018

  • Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name.
  • Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
Office Democratic Party Democratic Republican Party Republican Other
District 1

Greg Fischer

Green check mark transparent.pngKenneth LaValle (i)

District 2

Kathleen Cleary

Green check mark transparent.pngJohn J. Flanagan (i)

District 3

Green check mark transparent.pngMonica Martinez

Dean Murray

District 4

Lou D'Amaro

Green check mark transparent.pngPhilip Boyle (i)

District 5

Green check mark transparent.pngJames Gaughran

Carl Marcellino (i)

Green check mark transparent.pngJames Gaughran (Democratic Party, Women's Equality Party, Working Families Party)

District 6

Green check mark transparent.pngKevin Thomas

Kemp Hannon (i)

District 7

Green check mark transparent.pngAnna Kaplan

Elaine Phillips (i)

District 8

Green check mark transparent.pngJohn E. Brooks (i)  Candidate Connection

Jeffrey Pravato

District 9

Green check mark transparent.pngTodd Kaminsky (i)

Francis Becker Jr.

District 10

Green check mark transparent.pngJames Sanders, Jr. (i)

District 11

Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Liu

Vickie Paladino

Tony Avella (i) (Independence Party)
Simon Minching (Conservative Party)

District 12

Green check mark transparent.pngMichael Gianaris (i)

District 13

Green check mark transparent.pngJessica Ramos

Jose Peralta (i) (Independence Party)
Green check mark transparent.pngJessica Ramos (Democratic Party, Working Families Party)

District 14

Green check mark transparent.pngLeroy Comrie (i)

District 15

Green check mark transparent.pngJoseph Addabbo (i)

Thomas Sullivan

District 16

Green check mark transparent.pngToby Ann Stavisky (i)

Vincent Pazienza (Reform Party)

District 17

Green check mark transparent.pngSimcha Felder (i)

Luis Rivera (Reform Party)
Jumaane Williams (Working Families Party)

Did not make the ballot:
Angharad Vaughan  (Working Families Party)

District 18

Green check mark transparent.pngJulia Salazar

District 19

Green check mark transparent.pngRoxanne Persaud (i)

Jeffrey Ferretti

District 20

Green check mark transparent.pngZellnor Myrie

Jesse Hamilton (i) (Independence Party)

District 21

Green check mark transparent.pngKevin Parker (i)

Brian Kelly (Conservative Party)

District 22

Green check mark transparent.pngAndrew Gounardes

Martin Golden (i)

District 23

Green check mark transparent.pngDiane Savino (i)

David Krainert

Jasmine Robinson (Working Families Party)

District 24

Green check mark transparent.pngAndrew Lanza (i)

District 25

Green check mark transparent.pngVelmanette Montgomery (i)

District 26

Green check mark transparent.pngBrian Kavanagh (i)

Anthony Arias  Candidate Connection

Stuart J. Avrick (Conservative Party)

District 27

Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Hoylman (i)

Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Hoylman (i) (Democratic Party, Working Families Party)

District 28

Green check mark transparent.pngLiz Krueger (i)

Peter Holmberg

District 29

Green check mark transparent.pngJose M. Serrano (i)

Jose A. Colon

District 30

Green check mark transparent.pngBrian Benjamin (i)

District 31

Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Jackson  Candidate Connection

Melinda Crump

Marisol Alcantara (i) (Independence Party)
Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Jackson (Democratic Party, Working Families Party)  Candidate Connection

District 32

Green check mark transparent.pngLuis Sepúlveda (i)

Patrick Delices

Migdalia Denis (Conservative Party)
Pamela Stewart-Martinez (Reform Party)

District 33

Green check mark transparent.pngJ. Gustavo Rivera (i)

Nicole Torres

Steven Stern (Conservative Party)

District 34

Green check mark transparent.pngAlessandra Biaggi  Candidate Connection

Richard Ribustello

Jeffrey Klein (i) (Independence Party)
Antonio Vitiello (Conservative Party)

District 35

Green check mark transparent.pngAndrea Stewart-Cousins (i)

District 36

Green check mark transparent.pngJamaal Bailey (i)

Robert Diamond (Conservative Party)

District 37

Green check mark transparent.pngShelley Mayer (i)

District 38

Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Carlucci (i)

C. Scott Vanderhoef

District 39

Green check mark transparent.pngJames Skoufis

Thomas Basile

District 40

Green check mark transparent.pngPeter Harckham

Terrence Murphy (i)

District 41

Karen Smythe

Green check mark transparent.pngSusan Serino (i)

District 42

Green check mark transparent.pngJen Metzger  Candidate Connection

Ann Rabbitt

District 43

Aaron Gladd

Green check mark transparent.pngDaphne Jordan

District 44

Green check mark transparent.pngNeil Breslin (i)

Christopher Davis

District 45

Emily Martz

Green check mark transparent.pngBetty Little (i)

Did not make the ballot:
Mark Schneider  (Working Families Party)

District 46

Pat Courtney Strong

Green check mark transparent.pngGeorge Amedore (i)

District 47

Green check mark transparent.pngJoseph Griffo (i)

District 48

Green check mark transparent.pngPatricia Ritchie (i)

District 49

Michelle Ostrelich

Green check mark transparent.pngJames Tedisco (i)

District 50

John Mannion  Candidate Connection

Green check mark transparent.pngBob Antonacci

District 51

Joyce St. George

Green check mark transparent.pngJames L. Seward (i)

District 52

Green check mark transparent.pngFred Akshar (i)

District 53

Green check mark transparent.pngRachel May

Janet Berl Burman

David Valesky (i) (Independence Party)

District 54

Kenan Baldridge

Green check mark transparent.pngPamela Helming (i)

District 55

Jennifer Lunsford

Green check mark transparent.pngRich Funke (i)

District 56

Jeremy Cooney  Candidate Connection

Green check mark transparent.pngJoseph Robach (i)

District 57

Green check mark transparent.pngCatharine Young (i)

District 58

Amanda Kirchgessner

Green check mark transparent.pngThomas O'Mara (i)

Did not make the ballot:
Michael Lausell  (Working Families Party)

District 59

Green check mark transparent.pngPatrick Gallivan (i)

District 60

Carima El Behairy

Green check mark transparent.pngChristopher Jacobs (i)

Did not make the ballot:
James DePasquale  (Green Party)

District 61

Joan Seamans

Green check mark transparent.pngMichael Ranzenhofer (i)

District 62

Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Ortt (i)

Peter Diachun (Green Party)

District 63

Green check mark transparent.pngTimothy M. Kennedy (i)

Did not make the ballot:
Thomas Gaglione 


Political party key:
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
Darkred.png Conservative Party
Begins.png Green Party
Darkpurple.png Independence Party
Blueslashed.png Reform Party
Cyanslashed.png Tax Revolt Party
Women's Equality Party Women's Equality Party
Darkgreen.png Working Families Party

Fusion voting candidates

Primary candidates

2018 New York State Senate primary candidates
District Democratic Party

Democrat

Republican Party

Republican

Other party tickets
1 Greg Fischer Approveda Kenneth LaValle (I) Approveda Conservative: Kenneth LaValle (I)
Independence: Kenneth LaValle (I)
Reform: Kenneth LaValle (I)
2 Kathleen Cleary Approveda John J. Flanagan (I) Approveda Women's Equality: Kathleen Cleary
Conservative: John J. Flanagan (I)
Independence: John J. Flanagan (I)
Reform: John J. Flanagan (I)
3 Monica Martinez Approveda Dean Murray Approveda Working Families: Monica Martinez
Women's Equality: Monica Martinez
Conservative: Dean Murray
Independence: Dean Murray
Reform: Dean Murray
4 Lou D'Amaro Approveda Philip Boyle (I) Approveda Working Families: Lou D'Amaro
Women's Equality: Lou D'Amaro
Conservative: Philip Boyle (I)
Independence: Philip Boyle (I)
5 James Gaughran Approveda Carl Marcellino (I) Approveda Working Families: James Gaughran
Women's Equality: James Gaughran
Conservative: Carl Marcellino (I)
Independence: Carl Marcellino (I)
Reform: Carl Marcellino (I)
6 Kevin Thomas Approveda Kemp Hannon (I) Approveda Working Families: Kevin Thomas
Conservative: Kemp Hannon (I)
Women's Equality: Kevin Thomas
Independence: Kemp Hannon (I)
Reform: Kemp Hannon (I)
7 Anna Kaplan Approveda Elaine Phillips (I) Approveda Working Families: Anna Kaplan
Women's Equality: Anna Kaplan
Conservative: Elaine Phillips (I)
Independence: Elaine Phillips (I)
Reform: Elaine Phillips (I)
8 John E. Brooks (I) Approveda Jeffrey Pravato Approveda Working Families: John E. Brooks (I)
Women's Equality: John E. Brooks (I)
Conservative: Jeffrey Pravato
Independence: Jeffrey Pravato
Reform: Jeffrey Pravato
9 Todd Kaminsky (I) Approveda Francis Becker Jr. Approveda Working Families: Todd Kaminsky (I)
Women's Equality: Todd Kaminsky (I)
Conservative: Francis Becker Jr.
Independence: Todd Kaminsky (I)
Reform: Todd Kaminsky (I)
10 James Sanders Jr. (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: James Sanders Jr. (I)
Reform: James Sanders Jr. (I)
11 Tony Avella (I)
John Liu Approveda
Simon Minching
Vickie Paladino Approveda
Women's Equality: Tony Avella (I)
Conservative: Simon Minching Approveda
Independence: Tony Avella (I) Approveda
12 Michael Gianaris (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Michael Gianaris (I)
13 Jose Peralta (I)
Jessica Ramos Approveda
No candidate Working Families: Jessica Ramos
Women's Equality: Jose Peralta (I)
Independence: Jose Peralta (I) Approveda
Reform: Jose Peralta (I)
14 Leroy Comrie (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Leroy Comrie (I)
Reform: Leroy Comrie (I)
15 Joseph Addabbo (I) Approveda Slawomir Platta
Thomas Sullivan Approveda
Conservative: Thomas Sullivan
Working Families: Joseph Addabbo (I)
Independence: Thomas Sullivan
16 Toby Ann Stavisky (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Toby Ann Stavisky (I)
Women's Equality: Toby Ann Stavisky (I)
Reform: Vincent Pazienza
17 Simcha Felder (I) Approveda
Blake Morris
Simcha Felder (I) Approveda Working Families: Angharad Vaughan Approveda
Conservative: Simcha Felder (I)
Independence: Simcha Felder (I)
Reform: Luis Rivera Approveda
18 Martin Malave Dilan (I)
Julia Salazar Approveda
No candidate
19 Roxanne Persaud (I) Approveda Jeffrey J. Ferretti Approveda Working Families: Roxanne Persaud (I)
Conservative: Jeffrey J. Ferretti
20 Jesse Hamilton (I)
Zellnor Myrie Approveda
No candidate Working Families: Zellnor Myrie
Women's Equality: Jesse Hamilton (I)
Independence: Jesse Hamilton (I) Approveda
21 Kevin Parker (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Kevin Parker (I)
Conservative: Brian Kelly
22 Andrew S. Gounardes Approveda
Ross Barkan
Martin Golden (I) Approveda Working Families: Andrew S. Gounardes
Conservative: Martin Golden (I)
Independence: Martin Golden (I)
Reform: Andrew S. Gounardes
23 Diane Savino (I) Approveda
Jasmine Robinson
Brandon Stradford
David Krainert Approveda Working Families: Jasmine Robinson Approveda
Women's Equality: Diane Savino (I)
Conservative: David Krainert
Independence: Diane Savino (I)
Reform: Diane Savino (I)
24 No candidate Andrew Lanza (I) Approveda Conservative: Andrew Lanza (I)
Independence: Andrew Lanza (I)
Reform: Andrew Lanza (I)
25 Velmanette Montgomery (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Velmanette Montgomery (I)
26 Brian Kavanagh (I) Approveda Anthony Arias Approveda Working Families: Brian Kavanagh (I)
Conservative: Stuart J. Avrick
Reform: Anthony Arias
27 Brad M. Hoylman (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Brad M. Hoylman (I)
28 Liz Krueger (I) Approveda Peter Holmberg Approveda Working Families: Liz Krueger (I)
Reform: Peter Holmberg
29 Jose M. Serrano (I) Approveda Jose A. Colon Approveda
30 Brian Benjamin (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Brian Benjamin (I)
31 Marisol Alcantara (I)
Robert Jackson Approveda
Thomas Leon
Tirso Santiago Pina
Melinda Crump Approveda Working Families: Robert Jackson
Independence: Marisol Alcantara (I) Approveda
Reform: Melinda Crump
32 Luis Sepulveda (I) Approveda Patrick Delices Approveda Working Families: Luis Sepulveda (I)
Conservative: Migdalia Denis Approveda
Reform: Pamela Stewart-Martinez Approveda
33 J. Gustavo Rivera (I) Approveda Nicole J. Torres Approveda Working Families: J. Gustavo Rivera (I)
Conservative: Steven Stern
34 Jeffrey Klein (I)
Alessandra Biaggi Approveda
Richard Ribustello Approveda Working Families: Alessandra Biaggi
Conservative: Antonio Vitiello Approveda
Independence: Jeffrey Klein (I) Approveda
35 Andrea Stewart-Cousins (I) Approveda
Virginia Perez
No candidate Independence: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (I)
Reform: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (I)
Working Families: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (I)
Women's Equality: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (I)
36 Jamaal Bailey (I) Approveda No candidate Working Families: Jamaal Bailey (I)
Conservative: Robert Diamond
37 Shelley Mayer (I) Approveda No candidate Independence: Shelley Mayer (I)
Working Families: Shelley Mayer (I)
Women's Equality: Shelley Mayer (I)
38 David Carlucci (I) Approveda
Julie Goldberg
C. Scott Vanderhoef Approveda Women's Equality: David Carlucci (I)
Conservative: C. Scott Vanderhoef
Independence: C. Scott Vanderhoef
Reform: C. Scott Vanderhoef
39 James G. Skoufis Approveda Thomas Basile Approveda Working Families: James G. Skoufis
Women's Equality: James G. Skoufis
Conservative: Thomas Basile
Independence: Thomas Basile
Reform: James G. Skoufis
40 Peter Harckham Approveda
Robert Kesten
Terrence P. Murphy (I) Approveda Working Families: Peter Harckham
Women's Equality: Peter Harckham
Conservative: Terrence P. Murphy (I)
Independence: Terrence P. Murphy (I)
Reform: Terrence P. Murphy (I)
41 Karen Smythe Approveda Susan J. Serino (I) Approveda Working Families: Karen Smythe
Women's Equality: Karen Smythe
Conservative: Susan J. Serino (I)
Independence: Susan J. Serino (I)
Reform: Susan J. Serino (I)
42 Jen Metzger Approveda
Pramilla Malick
Ann Rabbitt Approveda Working Families: Jen Metzger
Women's Equality: Jen Metzger
Conservative: Ann Rabbitt
Independence: Ann Rabbitt
Reform: Ann Rabbitt
43 Aaron Gladd Approveda Daphne Jordan Approveda Working Families: Aaron Gladd
Women's Equality: Aaron Gladd
Conservative: Daphne Jordan
Independence: Daphne Jordan
Reform: Daphne Jordan
44 Neil Breslin (I) Approveda Christopher Davis Approveda Working Families: Neil Breslin (I)
Conservative: Christopher Davis
Independence: Neil Breslin (I)
Reform: Christopher Davis
45 Emily Martz Approveda Betty Little (I) Approveda Working Families: Mark Schneider
Conservative: Betty Little (I)
Independence: Betty Little (I)
Reform: Betty Little (I)
46 Pat Courtney Strong Approveda George Amedore (I) Approveda Working Families: Pat Courtney Strong
Women's Equality: Pat Courtney Strong
Conservative: George Amedore (I)
Independence: George Amedore (I)
Reform: George Amedore (I)
47 No candidate Joseph Griffo (I) Approveda Conservative: Joseph Griffo (I)
Independence: Joseph Griffo (I)
Reform: Joseph Griffo (I)
48 No candidate Patricia Ritchie (I) Approveda Conservative: Patricia Ritchie (I)
Independence: Patricia Ritchie (I)
49 Michelle Ostrelich Approveda James Tedisco (I) Approveda Working Families: Michelle Ostrelich
Women's Equality: Michelle Ostrelich
Conservative: James Tedisco (I)
Independence: James Tedisco (I)
Reform: James Tedisco (I)
50 John Mannion Approveda Bob Antonacci Approveda Working Families: John Mannion
Women's Equality: John Mannion
Conservative: Bob Antonacci
Independence: Bob Antonacci
Reform: John Mannion
51 Joyce St. George Approveda James L. Seward (I) Approveda Women's Equality: Joyce St. George
Conservative: James L. Seward (I)
Independence: James L. Seward (I)
Reform: James L. Seward (I)
52 No candidate Fred Akshar (I) Approveda Conservative: Fred Akshar (I)
Independence: Fred Akshar (I)
Reform: Fred Akshar (I)
53 David Valesky (I)
Rachel May Approveda
Janet Berl Burman Approveda Working Families: Rachel May
Women's Equality: David Valesky (I)
Conservative: Janet Berl Burman
Independence: David Valesky (I) Approveda
54 Kenan Baldridge Approveda Pamela Helming (I) Approveda Working Families: Kenan Baldridge
Women's Equality: Kenan Baldridge
Conservative: Pamela Helming (I)
Independence: Pamela Helming (I)
Reform: Pamela Helming (I)
55 Jennifer Lunsford Approveda Rich Funke (I) Approveda Conservative: Rich Funke (I)
Independence: Rich Funke (I)
Reform: Rich Funke (I)
56 Jeremy Cooney Approveda Joseph Robach (I) Approveda Working Families: Jeremy Cooney
Women's Equality: Jeremy Cooney
Conservative: Joseph Robach (I)
Independence: Joseph Robach (I)
Reform: Joseph Robach (I)
57 No candidate Catharine Young (I) Approveda Conservative: Catharine Young (I)
Independence: Catharine Young (I)
Reform: Catharine Young (I)
58 Amanda Kirchgessner Approveda
Michael Lausell
Thomas O'Mara (I) Approveda Working Families: Michael Lausell Approveda
Conservative: Thomas O'Mara (I)
Independence: Thomas O'Mara (I)
Reform: Thomas O'Mara (I)
59 No candidate Patrick Gallivan (I) Approveda Conservative: Patrick Gallivan (I)
Independence: Patrick Gallivan (I)
Reform: Patrick Gallivan (I)
60 Carima El Behairy Approveda Christopher Jacobs (I) Approveda Working Families: Carima El Behairy
Women's Equality: Carima El Behairy
Conservative: Christopher Jacobs (I)
Independence: Christopher Jacobs (I)
Reform: Christopher Jacobs (I)
Green: James DePasquale
61 Joan Seamans Approveda Michael Ranzenhofer (I) Approveda Working Families: Joan Seamans
Women's Equality: Joan Seamans
Conservative: Michael Ranzenhofer (I)
Independence: Michael Ranzenhofer (I)
Reform: Michael Ranzenhofer (I)
62 No candidate Robert Ortt (I) Approveda Conservative: Robert Ortt (I)
Independence: Robert Ortt (I)
Reform: Robert Ortt (I)
Green: Peter Diachun
63 Timothy M. Kennedy (I) Approveda
Shaqurah Zachery
Thomas Gaglione Approveda Working Families: Timothy M. Kennedy (I)
Women's Equality: Timothy M. Kennedy (I)
Independence: Timothy M. Kennedy (I)
Notes • An (I) denotes an incumbent.
• Candidate lists can change frequently throughout an election season. Ballotpedia staff update this list monthly. To suggest changes, click here to email our Elections Project.

Margins of victory

See also: Margin of victory analysis for the 2018 state legislative elections

A margin of victory (MOV) analysis for the 2018 New York State Senate races is presented in this section. MOV represents the percentage of total votes that separated the winner and the second-place finisher. For example, if the winner of a race received 47 percent of the vote and the second-place finisher received 45 percent of the vote, the MOV is 2 percent.

The table below presents the following figures for each party:

  • Elections won
  • Elections won by less than 10 percentage points
  • Elections won without opposition
  • Average margin of victory[3]
New York State Senate: 2018 Margin of Victory Analysis
Party Elections won Elections won by less than 10% Unopposed elections Average margin of victory[3]
Democratic Party Democratic
40
8
10
47.0%
Republican Party Republican
23
7
6
16.1%
Grey.png Other
0
0
0
N/A
Total
63
15
16
31.5%



The margin of victory in each race is presented below. The list is sorted from the closest MOV to the largest (including unopposed races).

New York State Senate: 2018 Margin of Victory by District
District Winning Party Losing Party Margin of Victory
New York State Senate District 41
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
0.6%
New York State Senate District 6
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
1.7%
New York State Senate District 50
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
1.9%
New York State Senate District 22
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
1.9%
New York State Senate District 3
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
3.1%
New York State Senate District 40
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
3.2%
New York State Senate District 4
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
3.6%
New York State Senate District 42
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
3.7%
New York State Senate District 55
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
3.8%
New York State Senate District 43
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
6.1%
New York State Senate District 39
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
7.9%
New York State Senate District 61
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
8.3%
New York State Senate District 8
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
9.6%
New York State Senate District 5
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
9.9%
New York State Senate District 2
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
9.9%
New York State Senate District 7
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
10.2%
New York State Senate District 56
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
11.1%
New York State Senate District 60
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
11.5%
New York State Senate District 46
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
11.6%
New York State Senate District 1
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
13.8%
New York State Senate District 53
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
14.3%
New York State Senate District 49
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
18.6%
New York State Senate District 58
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
19.0%
New York State Senate District 9
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
23.6%
New York State Senate District 54
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
23.9%
New York State Senate District 51
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
27.0%
New York State Senate District 15
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
28.2%
New York State Senate District 45
Ends.png Republican
Electiondot.png Democratic
28.8%
New York State Senate District 11
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
29.3%
New York State Senate District 38
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
30.8%
New York State Senate District 23
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
41.2%
New York State Senate District 44
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
41.3%
New York State Senate District 34
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
61.2%
New York State Senate District 28
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
63.6%
New York State Senate District 17
Electiondot.png Democratic
Darkgreen.png Working Families Party
71.5%
New York State Senate District 62
Ends.png Republican
Begins.png Green Party
73.5%
New York State Senate District 26
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
76.7%
New York State Senate District 13
Electiondot.png Democratic
Independence Party of America Independence Party
79.6%
New York State Senate District 19
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
79.7%
New York State Senate District 31
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
82.5%
New York State Senate District 20
Electiondot.png Democratic
Independence Party of America Independence Party
85.5%
New York State Senate District 29
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
85.8%
New York State Senate District 33
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
90.8%
New York State Senate District 16
Electiondot.png Democratic
Reform Party Reform Party
90.8%
New York State Senate District 32
Electiondot.png Democratic
Ends.png Republican
91.4%
New York State Senate District 21
Electiondot.png Democratic
Darkred.png Conservative Party
94.1%
New York State Senate District 36
Electiondot.png Democratic
Darkred.png Conservative Party
95.6%
New York State Senate District 10
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 12
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 14
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 24
Ends.png Republican
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 25
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 27
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 37
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 47
Ends.png Republican
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 48
Ends.png Republican
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 52
Ends.png Republican
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 57
Ends.png Republican
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 59
Ends.png Republican
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 18
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 30
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 35
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed
New York State Senate District 63
Electiondot.png Democratic
None
Unopposed


Seats flipped

See also: State legislative seats that changed party control, 2018

The below map displays each seat in the New York State Senate which changed partisan hands as a result of the 2018 elections, shaded according to the partisan affiliation of the winner in 2018. Hover over a shaded district for more information.

State legislative seats flipped in 2018, New York State Senate
District Incumbent 2018 winner Direction of flip
New York State Senate District 22 Republican Party Martin Golden Democratic Party Andrew Gounardes R to D
New York State Senate District 3 Republican Party Tom Croci Democratic Party Monica Martinez R to D
New York State Senate District 39 Republican Party William Larkin Democratic Party James Skoufis R to D
New York State Senate District 40 Republican Party Terrence P. Murphy Democratic Party Peter Harckham R to D
New York State Senate District 42 Republican Party John Bonacic Democratic Party Jen Metzger R to D
New York State Senate District 5 Republican Party Carl Marcellino Democratic Party James Gaughran R to D
New York State Senate District 6 Republican Party Kemp Hannon Democratic Party Kevin Thomas R to D
New York State Senate District 7 Republican Party Elaine Phillips Democratic Party Anna Kaplan R to D

Incumbents retiring

Five incumbents did not run for re-election in 2018.[4] Those incumbents were:

Name Party Office
Tom Croci Ends.png Republican Senate District 3
William Larkin Ends.png Republican Senate District 39
John Bonacic Ends.png Republican Senate District 42
Kathleen A. Marchione Ends.png Republican Senate District 43
John DeFrancisco Ends.png Republican Senate District 50

2018 battleground chamber

See also: State legislative battleground chambers, 2018

Ballotpedia identified the New York State Senate as one of 22 battleground chambers in 2018. These were chambers that we anticipated to be, overall, more competitive than other chambers and had the potential to see significant shifts in party control.


The chamber was selected because it met the following conditions:

  • Competitive seats: In 2016, five seats won by Republicans had a margin of victory that was less than 10 percent. Two Democratic seats had a margin of victory less than 10 percent. See the 2018 races to watch here.
  • Majority held less than 55 percent of seats: Heading into the elections, the Republican-led coalition held 32 of 63 seats, 50.8 percent of the total. This included the 31 Republicans elected to the chamber and Democrat Simcha Felder, who caucused with Republicans.
  • Recent party control switches: The chamber flipped from Democratic to Republican control in 2010 after flipping from Republican to Democratic in 2008 for the first time since 1964.

Party control: 2006 - 2016
Election Year: 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Winning Party: R D R R* R R*
*Chamber controlled by Republican-led coalition

Battleground races

New York State Senate
Battleground races
Democratic seats
Democratic Party District 8
Democratic Party District 9
Republican seats
Republican Party District 3
Republican Party District 5
Republican Party District 6
Republican Party District 7
Republican Party District 39
Republican Party District 40
Republican Party District 42
Republican Party District 43
Republican Party District 50
Republican Party District 58

Ballotpedia identified 12 battleground races in the New York State Senate 2018 elections: two Democratic seats and ten Republican seats. Based on analysis of these districts' electoral histories, these races had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could possibly have led to shifts in a chamber's partisan balance.

To determine state legislative battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia looked for races that fit one or more of the four factors listed below:

  1. If the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in the most recent election prior to 2018
  2. If the presidential candidate opposite of the incumbent's party won the district in the 2016 elections and the incumbent’s margin of victory in the previous election was 10 percentage points or less
  3. If the presidential candidate opposite of the incumbent's party won the district in the 2016 elections and the incumbent did not file to run for re-election
  4. If the presidential candidate opposite of the incumbent's party won the district in the 2016 elections by 20 points or more

Other factors could also cause a race to be classified as a battleground. For example, Ballotpedia may have considered an election to be a battleground race if an outside group or a national or state party announced that they were targeting a specific seat in order to flip it. We may have also determined a race to be a battleground if it received an unusual amount of media attention. Two additional factors were open seats and districts impacted by redistricting.


Republican PartyDistrict 3

Who won this race?

Democrat Monica Martinez defeated Republican Dean Murray.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Monica Martinez
Republican Party Dean Murray

What made this a battleground race?

Incumbent Tom Croci announced he would not seek re-election in May 2018.[5] Croci was first elected in 2014. In 2016, he won the seat by 17.3 points. District 3 was one of 23 New York Senate districts that Republican Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. Trump carried District 3 by 6.0 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 12.0 points.

Politico said this race slightly favored the Republican.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 5

Who won this race?

Democrat James Gaughran defeated Republican incumbent Carl Marcellino.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party James Gaughran
Republican Party Carl Marcellino (incumbent)

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016 and the presidential candidate of the opposite party won. Incumbent Carl Marcellino (R) was first elected in 1995 in a special election. In 2016, he won the seat by 1.2 points. District 5 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 5 by 3.0 points. Mitt Romney (R) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 1.6 points.

Politico called the race a toss-up.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 6

Who won this race?

Democrat Kevin Thomas defeated Republican incumbent Kemp Hannon.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Kevin Thomas
Republican Party Kemp Hannon (incumbent)

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016 and the presidential candidate of the opposite party won. Incumbent Kemp Hannon (R) was first elected in 1989. In 2016, he won the seat by 7.7 points. District 6 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 6 by 2.7 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 10.4 points.

Politico said this race was a likely Republican hold.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 7

Who won this race?

Democrat Anna Kaplan defeated Republican incumbent Elaine Phillips.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Anna Kaplan
Republican Party Elaine Phillips (incumbent)

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016 and the presidential candidate of the opposite party won. Incumbent Elaine Phillips (R) was first elected in 2016. She won the seat by 2.5 points. District 7 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 7 by 12.8 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 8.7 points.

Phillips endorsements

Politico called the race a toss-up.[6]

Democratic PartyDistrict 8

Who won this race?

Democratic incumbent John E. Brooks defeated Republican Jeffrey Pravato.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Democratic Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party John E. Brooks (incumbent)
Republican Party Jeffrey Pravato

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016. Incumbent John E. Brooks (D) was first elected in 2016. He won the seat by 0.2 points, defeating the previous incumbent, Michael Venditto (R). District 8 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 8 by 2.8 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 12.4 points.

Brooks endorsements

Politico called the race a toss-up.[6]

Democratic PartyDistrict 9

Who won this race?

Democratic incumbent Todd Kaminsky defeated Republican Francis Becker Jr..

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Democratic Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Todd Kaminsky (incumbent)
Republican Party Francis Becker Jr.

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016. Incumbent Todd Kaminsky (D) was first elected in a 2016 special election to replace former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R). He won the special election by 1.2 points and then later won in the 2016 general election by 4.4 points. District 9 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 8 by 8.3 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 8.0 points.

Politico said this race was a likely Democratic hold.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 39

Who won this race?

Democrat James Skoufis defeated Republican Thomas Basile.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party James Skoufis
Republican Party Thomas Basile

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016 and did not seek re-election in 2018. Incumbent William Larkin (R) was first elected in 1990. In 2016, he won his election by 5.7 points. He announced he would not seek re-election in May 2018.[9] District 39 was one of 23 New York Senate districts that Republican Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. Trump carried District 39 by 3.5 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 6.6 points.

Politico called the race a toss-up.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 40

Who won this race?

Democrat Peter Harckham defeated Republican incumbent Terrence P. Murphy.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Peter Harckham
Republican Party Terrence P. Murphy (incumbent)

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) became involved.. In May 2018, the New York Daily News reported that Cuomo was recruiting former staffer Peter Harckham to run against incumbent Terrence P. Murphy (R). Murphy was first elected in 2014. In 2016, he was re-elected by 15.5 points. District 40 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 40 by 6.9 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 2.5 points.

Politico said this race slightly favored the Republican.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 42

Who won this race?

Democrat Jen Metzger defeated Republican Ann Rabbitt.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Jen Metzger
Republican Party Ann Rabbitt

What made this a battleground race?

Incumbent John Bonacic (R) announced he would not seek re-election in April 2018.[10] Bonacic was first elected in 1998. In 2016, he won his election by 22.3 points. District 42 was one of 23 New York Senate districts that Republican Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. Trump carried District 42 by 5.2 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 9.2 points.

Politico said this race slightly favored the Republican.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 43

Who won this race?

Republican Daphne Jordan defeated Democrat Aaron Gladd.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Aaron Gladd
Republican Party Daphne Jordan

What made this a battleground race?

Incumbent Kathleen A. Marchione (R) announced she would not seek re-election in April 2018.[10] Marchione was first elected in 2012. In 2016, she won her election by 24.7 points. District 43 was one of 23 New York Senate districts that Republican Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. Trump carried District 43 by 2.9 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 7.7 points.

Politico said this race slightly favored the Republican.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 50

Who won this race?

Republican Bob Antonacci defeated Democrat John Mannion.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party John Mannion
Republican Party Bob Antonacci

What made this a battleground race?

Incumbent John DeFrancisco (R) announced he would not seek re-election in April 2018.[10] DeFrancisco was first elected in 1992. In 2016, he was unopposed. District 50 was one of 40 New York Senate districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton carried District 50 by 5.0 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 11.5 points.

Politico called the race a toss-up.[6]

Republican PartyDistrict 58

Who won this race?

Republican incumbent Thomas O'Mara defeated Democrat Amanda Kirchgessner.

What party controlled the seat heading into the election?

The Republican Party

Who were the candidates running?

Democratic Party Amanda Kirchgessner
Republican Party Thomas O'Mara (incumbent)

What made this a battleground race?

This was a district where the incumbent won less than 55 percent of the vote in 2016. Incumbent Thomas O'Mara (R) was first elected in 2010. In 2016, he won his election by 9.3 points. District 58 was one of 23 New York Senate districts that Republican Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. Trump carried District 58 by 8.9 points. Barack Obama (D) won the district in the 2012 presidential election by 3.5 points.

Politico said this race was safe for the Republican.[6]

Battleground races map

Campaign activity

Andrew Cuomo and state party spending

On October 15, 2018, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) launched a $2 million television and advertising campaign to help Democrats take control of the state Senate. The $2 million came jointly from Cuomo's campaign and the state Democratic Party. Cuomo said, ""This election is not about red and blue, it's black and white — and we need a Democratic state Senate to protect New York and keep progress moving forward."

In response to the spending, a Senate Republican spokesperson said, "If Gov. Cuomo elects a Democrat majority in the Senate, there will be no accountability, no checks and balances, and no one to stop this administration from the corruption, bribery and pay-to-play schemes that have sent (former aides Joseph) Percoco, (Alain) Kaloyeros and other associates to jail."[11]

State committee spending on races in Suffolk and Nassau counties

Newsday reported that the Democratic and Republican state committees spent the following amounts on Senate races in Suffolk and Nassau counties, both on Long Island.

  • District 3: As of October 24, the Senate Republican Campaign Committee had given $200,000 to Dean Murray (R), and Democratic Senate Campaign Committee had given $181,000 to Monica Martinez (D).[12]
  • District 5: As of October 9, the Senate Republican Campaign Committee had given $436,000 to Sen. Carl Marcellino (R), and the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee had given $348,000 to James Gaughran (D).[13]
  • District 7: As of October 9, the Senate Republican Campaign Committee had given $461,000 to Sen. Elaine Phillips (R). The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee had not spent on behalf of Anna Kaplan (D) as of October 9.[13]
  • District 8: As of October 9, the Senate Republican Campaign Committee had given $396,000 to Jeffrey Pravato (R), and the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee had given $536,000 to John E. Brooks (D).[13]

Control of the chamber in 2018

IDC and Mainline Democratic reunification

Prior to April 2018, factions in the New York State Senate included the mainline Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and an offshoot of the Democratic Party called the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). Republicans controlled the chamber from 2012 to 2018 through an alliance with the IDC and Democrat Simcha Felder. In April 2018, the eight members of the IDC rejoined the mainline Democratic conference, but Felder stayed with the Republicans, giving them an effective 32-31 majority in the chamber.

In the September 13 Democratic primaries, progressive primary challengers defeated former IDC leader Jeff Klein and former IDC members Tony Avella, Jose Peralta, Jesse Hamilton, Marisol Alcantara, and David Valesky. Felder and former IDC members Diane Savino and David Carlucci won their primaries. Read more here.

Background

New York political history

See also: Partisan composition of state senates and State government trifectas

Party control

2018

In the 2018 elections, Democrats gained full control of the New York State Senate.

New York State Senate
Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
     Democratic Party 32 40
     Republican Party 31 23
Total 63 63

2016

In the 2016 elections, Democrats maintained their numerical majority in the New York State Senate but a power-sharing agreement between the Independent Democratic Conference and Senate Republicans has kept the state Senate under Republican control.

New York State Senate
Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
     Democratic Party 31 32
     Republican Party 31 31
     Vacant 1 0
Total 63 63

Trifectas

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Democrats in New York held a state government trifecta for two years between 1992 and 2017.

New York Party Control: 1992-2024
Eight years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Governor D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D
Assembly D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

Wave election analysis

See also: Wave elections (1918-2016)

The term wave election is frequently used to describe an election cycle in which one party makes significant electoral gains. How many seats would Republicans have had to lose for the 2018 midterm election to be considered a wave election?

Ballotpedia examined the results of the 50 election cycles that occurred between 1918 and 2016—spanning from President Woodrow Wilson's (D) second midterm in 1918 to Donald Trump's (R) first presidential election in 2016. We define wave elections as the 20 percent of elections in that period resulting in the greatest seat swings against the president's party.

Applying this definition to state legislative elections, we found that Republicans needed to lose 494 seats for 2018 to qualify as a wave election.

The chart below shows the number of seats the president's party lost in the 10 state legislative waves from 1918 to 2016. Click here to read the full report.

State legislative wave elections
Year President Party Election type State legislative seats change Elections analyzed[39]
1932 Hoover R Presidential -1,022 7,365
1922 Harding R First midterm -907 6,907
1966 Johnson D First midterm[40] -782 7,561
1938 Roosevelt D Second midterm -769 7,179
1958 Eisenhower R Second midterm -702 7,627
2010 Obama D First midterm -702 7,306
1974 Ford R Second midterm[41] -695 7,481
1920 Wilson D Presidential -654 6,835
1930 Hoover R Presidential -640 7,361
1954 Eisenhower R First midterm -494 7,513

Candidate and office information

Process to become a candidate

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in New York

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Article 6 of the New York Election Law

For political party candidates

Political party candidates seeking placement on the primary ballot must be nominated via designating petitions. Sample forms are provided by the New York State Board of Elections. A party may nominate a non-enrolled member by filing a certificate of authorization, signed by the presiding officer and secretary of the meeting at which such authorization was given. Only enrolled party members may sign designating petitions. Signature requirements vary according to the office being sought. Generally speaking, a candidate must collect signatures equaling at least 5 percent of the number of active enrolled voters in the political unit (e.g., the state for statewide offices, such as governor; the legislative district for state senate or assembly districts; etc.), or a fixed total established by statute, whichever is less.[42][43][44][45][46]

Designating petitions must be submitted to the appropriate county board of elections, with the following exceptions:[47]

  • If the political unit of the office being sought lies entirely within New York City, the petition must be filed with the city board of elections.
  • If the political unit of the office being sought comprises more than one county or portions of two or more counties, the petition must be filed with the New York State Board of Elections.

Designating petitions must be filed between the 10th Monday and ninth Tuesday prior to the primary election. A candidate must file a certificate of acceptance or declination of the designation no later than the fourth day after the last day to file designating petitions.[48]

Enrolled party members may also circulate petitions to allow for the opportunity to write in a candidate for an office for which there is no contest for the party nomination at the primary. These are called opportunity to ballot petitions and are substantially the same as designating petitions (i.e., the petitions are held to the same signature and filing requirements, etc.), except that they do not require a candidate to be named.[42][49]

For independent candidates

Independent candidates seeking placement the general election ballot must be nominated via nominating petitions. Sample forms are provided by the New York State Board of Elections.[42][50]

The group of voters making the nomination may designate a name for themselves, provided the name is rendered in English and does not suggest similarity with an existing political party or a political organization that has already filed a nominating petition.[51]

Signature requirements vary according to the office being sought. Generally speaking, candidates must collect signatures equaling at least 5 percent of the total number of votes cast for governor within the political unit at the last gubernatorial election, or a fixed total established by statute, whichever is less.[52]

Nominating petitions must be submitted to the appropriate county board of elections, with the following exceptions:[47]

  • If the political unit of the office being sought lies entirely within New York City, the petition must be filed with the city board of elections.
  • If the political unit of the office being sought comprises more than one county or portions of two or more counties, the petition must be filed with the New York State Board of Elections.

According to New York election law, "A petition for an independent nomination for an office to be filled at the time of a general election shall be filed not earlier than twenty-four weeks and not later than twenty-three weeks preceding such election.”[48] A certificate of acceptance or declination of an independent nomination for an office that will be filled in the general election must be filed by the third day after the deadline for nominating petitions.[48]

Write-in candidates

A write-in candidate for president or vice-president must file a certificate of candidacy with the New York State Board of Elections. Write-in candidates for other federal or state offices do not have to submit any filing paperwork.[53]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article 3, Section 7 of the New York Constitution states: No person shall serve as a member of the legislature unless he or she is a citizen of the United States and has been a resident of the state of New York for five years, and, except as hereinafter otherwise prescribed, of the assembly or senate district for the twelve months immediately preceding his or her election; if elected a senator or member of assembly at the first election next ensuing after a readjustment or alteration of the senate or assembly districts becomes effective, a person, to be eligible to serve as such, must have been a resident of the county in which the senate or assembly district is contained for the twelve months immediately preceding his or her election. No member of the legislature shall, during the time for which he or she was elected, receive any civil appointment from the governor, the governor and the senate, the legislature or from any city government, to an office which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time.

Salaries and per diem

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2023
SalaryPer diem
$142,000/yearThe exact amount members receive for per diem is unknown.

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

New York legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[54]

Competitiveness

Every year, Ballotpedia uses official candidate lists from each state to examine the competitiveness of every state legislative race in the country. Nationally, there has been a steady decline in electoral competitiveness since 2010. Most notable is that the number of districts with general election competition has dropped by more than 10 percent.

Results from 2016

Below is Ballotpedia's 2016 competitiveness analysis. Click here to read the full study »

CA 2016 Overview.png

Historical context

See also: Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections: 1972-2014

Uncontested elections: In 2014, 32.8 percent of Americans lived in states with an uncontested state senate election. Similarly, 40.4 percent of Americans lived in states with uncontested house elections. Primary elections were uncontested even more frequently, with 61 percent of people living in states with no contested primaries. Uncontested elections often occur in locations that are so politically one-sided that the result of an election would be a foregone conclusion regardless of whether it was contested or not.

F5 Pop. % with uncontested state legislative races.png

Open seats: In most cases, an incumbent will run for re-election, which decreases the number of open seats available. In 2014, 83 percent of the 6,057 seats up for election saw the incumbent running for re-election. The states that impose term limits on their legislatures typically see a higher percentage of open seats in a given year because a portion of incumbents in each election are forced to leave office. Overall, the number of open seats decreased from 2012 to 2014, dropping from 21.2 percent in 2012 to 17.0 percent in 2014.

Incumbent win rates: Ballotpedia's competitiveness analysis of elections between 1972 and 2014 documented the high propensity for incumbents to win re-election in state legislative elections. In fact, since 1972, the win rate for incumbents had not dropped below 90 percent—with the exception of 1974, when 88 percent of incumbents were re-elected to their seats. Perhaps most importantly, the win rate for incumbents generally increased over time. In 2014, 96.5 percent of incumbents were able to retain their seats. Common convention holds that incumbents are able to leverage their office to maintain their seat. However, the high incumbent win rate may actually be a result of incumbents being more likely to hold seats in districts that are considered safe for their party.

Marginal primaries: Often, competitiveness is measured by examining the rate of elections that have been won by amounts that are considered marginal (5 percent or less). During the 2014 election, 90.1 percent of primary and general election races were won by margins higher than 5 percent. Interestingly, it is usually the case that only one of the two races—primary or general—will be competitive at a time. This means that if a district's general election is competitive, typically one or more of the district's primaries were won by more than 5 percent. The reverse is also true: If a district sees a competitive primary, it is unlikely that the general election for that district will be won by less than 5 percent. Primaries often see very low voter turnout in comparison to general elections. In 2014, there were only 27 million voters for state legislative primaries, but approximately 107 million voters for the state legislative general elections.

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Eighteen of 62 New York counties—29 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Broome County, New York 2.01% 5.31% 8.02%
Cayuga County, New York 11.64% 11.40% 8.48%
Cortland County, New York 5.58% 9.11% 9.96%
Essex County, New York 1.14% 18.77% 13.32%
Franklin County, New York 5.45% 26.07% 22.23%
Madison County, New York 14.20% 0.89% 0.87%
Niagara County, New York 17.75% 0.84% 1.00%
Orange County, New York 5.50% 5.65% 4.13%
Oswego County, New York 21.99% 7.93% 2.44%
Otsego County, New York 11.13% 2.72% 5.91%
Rensselaer County, New York 1.41% 12.19% 9.34%
St. Lawrence County, New York 8.82% 16.71% 16.33%
Saratoga County, New York 3.21% 2.44% 3.40%
Seneca County, New York 11.01% 9.08% 2.60%
Suffolk County, New York 6.84% 3.69% 5.99%
Sullivan County, New York 11.23% 9.02% 9.46%
Warren County, New York 8.47% 2.32% 2.64%
Washington County, New York 18.40% 1.90% 0.81%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won New York with 59 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 36.5 percent. In presidential elections between 1792 and 2016, New York voted Democratic 45.6 percent of the time and Republican 35 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, New York voted Democratic all five times.[55]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Senate districts in New York. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[56][57]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 55 out of 63 state Senate districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 36.9 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 40 out of 63 state Senate districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 46.4 points. Clinton won nine districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won eight out of 63 state Senate districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 8.7 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 23 out of 63 state Senate districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 11.3 points. Trump won one district controlled by a Democrat heading into the 2018 elections.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Spectrum News, "Analysis: Eyes on Senate in Albany power struggle and these 5 races," September 5, 2018
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dubin, M. (2007). Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures. Jefferson, NC: McFarland Press. (pages 132-138)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Excludes unopposed elections
  4. Ballotpedia defines an incumbent as retiring if the incumbent did not file for office or filed for office but withdrew, was disqualified, or otherwise left a race in a manner other than losing the primary, primary runoff, or convention. If an incumbent runs as a write-in candidate, Ballotpedia does not consider them to be retiring. If an incumbent runs in the same chamber for a different seat, Ballotpedia does not consider them to be retiring.
  5. Newsday, "GOP State Sen. Tom Croci won’t seek third term," May 2, 2018
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Politico, "POLITICO map: Where the action is in state Senate races," November 1, 2018
  7. Newsday, "Elaine Phillips to represent NY’s 7th Senate District," October 25, 2018
  8. Newsday, "John Brooks to represent NY’s 8th Senate District," October 25, 2018
  9. CBS Albany, "5th Republican announces plans to leave NY Senate," May 3, 2018
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Poughkeepsie Journal, "3 NY Senate Republicans drop re-election bids in 3 days," April 27, 2018
  11. New York Daily News, "Cuomo to kick off $2 million ad campaign on behalf of state Senate Dems," October 15, 2018
  12. Newsday, "Dems, GOP dump nearly $400G into Senate race," October 24, 2018
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Newsday, "LI has the 3 most endangered state senators, money flow shows," October 9, 2018
  14. New York Times, "Threats, and Hints of a Deal, in New York Democrats’ Divorce Saga," November 27, 2017
  15. New York Daily News, "LOVETT: Pol says Democrats must control Senate or else plan to unite the party is dead," December 11, 2017
  16. 16.0 16.1 Village Voice, "Meet The Senator Who Stands Between New Yorkers And Universal Health Care," May 25, 2017
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 New York Times, "Democrats in New York State Senate Reconcile After Years of Infighting," April 4, 2018
  18. Twitter, "Frank G. Runyeon on April 4, 2018,"
  19. Twitter, "Frank G. Runyeon on April 4, 2018,"
  20. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lohud2
  21. WNYC, "'Independent' No More, But IDC Still Fundraising," April 11, 2018
  22. Buffalo News, "Defunct under new state Senate unity deal, breakaway group sends fundraising appeal," April 9, 2018
  23. New York Times, "As Session Resumes, a Democratic Truce in Albany Seems Uneasy," April 16, 2018
  24. Legislative Gazette, "New committee chairs appointed following dissolution of IDC," April 9, 2018
  25. New York Times, "Felder, a Democrat, Says He Will Remain With Republicans," April 24, 2018
  26. New York Daily News, "Key unions urge NYS Senate Dems to back former IDC members," May 7, 2018
  27. Kings County Politics, "Hamilton, Savino Get Stewart-Cousins Endorsement," May 25, 2018
  28. Albany Times Union, "39 ex-IDC staffers purged after unity deal," May 19, 2018
  29. New York Times, "The Mutineer Becomes the Captain," September 11, 2009
  30. Washington Post, "Stalemate in N.Y. State Senate Appears to Be Resolved as Democrat Rejoins Caucus," July 10, 2009
  31. New York Times, "Albany Impasse Ends as Defector Rejoins Caucus," July 9, 2009
  32. New York Times, "Senate Democrats Try to Reverse G.O.P. Coup," June 9, 2009
  33. New York Times, "Coalition Is to Control State Senate as Dissident Democrats Join With Republicans," December 4, 2012
  34. New Republic, "How Andrew Cuomo Profits From a Republican Senate," May 12, 2017
  35. New York Daily News, "Senate's Independent Democratic Conference announces end to alliance with Republicans," June 25, 2014
  36. Politico, "Klein, diminished but still desired, sides with power," November 7, 2014
  37. Times Union, "IDC will once again partner with Senate GOP," January 2, 2017
  38. New York Times, "Simcha Felder Tells Fellow Rogue Democrats to Rejoin the Party Fold," May 24, 2017
  39. The number of state legislative seats available for analysis varied, with as many as 7,795 and as few as 6,835.
  40. Lyndon Johnson's (D) first term began in November 1963 after the death of President John F. Kennedy (D), who was first elected in 1960. Before Johnson had his first midterm in 1966, he was re-elected president in 1964.
  41. Gerald Ford's (R) first term began in August 1974 following the resignation of President Richard Nixon (R), who was first elected in 1968 and was re-elected in 1972. Because Ford only served for two full months before facing the electorate, this election is classified as Nixon's second midterm.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 New York State Board of Elections, "Running for Elective Office," accessed February 13, 2014
  43. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 118," accessed February 13, 2014
  44. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 132," accessed February 13, 2014
  45. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 120," accessed February 13, 2014
  46. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 136," accessed February 13, 2014
  47. 47.0 47.1 New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 144," accessed February 13, 2014
  48. 48.0 48.1 48.2 New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 158," accessed February 13, 2014 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "nyfilingdate" defined multiple times with different content
  49. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 164," accessed February 13, 2014
  50. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 140," accessed February 13, 2014
  51. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 138," accessed February 12, 2014
  52. New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 142," accessed February 13, 2014
  53. New York Election Law, "Article 6, 153," accessed February 13, 2014
  54. New York Senate, "New York Constitution, Article XIII, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
  55. 270towin.com, "New York," accessed June 1, 2017
  56. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  57. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017


Current members of the New York State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Minority Leader:Robert Ortt
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
John Liu (D)
District 17
Iwen Chu (D)
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
J. Rivera (D)
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
Lea Webb (D)
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
Sean Ryan (D)
District 62
District 63
Democratic Party (42)
Republican Party (21)