Anti-Trump wave topples NYS Republicans, makes legislature even more blue
A Democratic tidal wave fueled by anti-Trump energy toppled Republican state lawmakers in several key races, turning the legislature even more blue and wiping out recent GOP gains across the state.
Democrats romped in Tuesday’s elections, picking up six seats to secure a 47-seat majority in the 63-seat state Senate — the largest majority since 1847. Dems in the deeply blue Empire State already had big majorities in both houses of the legislature, and won every statewide office.
In the Senate, Larry He defeated one-term Republican incumbent Steve Chan handily with 57% or 22,0042 votes to 42% or 16,281 votes wiith nearly all the precincts reporting in District 17 that ecompasses Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Bath Beach.
Chan won two years ago by defeating Democratic incumbent Iwen Chu in a newly carved Asian district.
The race drew headlines after a 73-year-old campaign volunteer for Chan was arrested for allegedly slapping a He campaign aide last week.
Meanwhile, Democrats picked up three other seats in southern Brooklyn Assembly Districts.
Joey Saban toppled Republican incumbent Michael Novakhov in a blowout with 61% (13,622 votes) to 38% (8,393 votes), respectively. It was a rematch from two years ago, when Novakhov prevailed in the 45th AD that includes Midwood, Gravesend and Brighton Beach.
In the neighboring 46th AD that includes Bay Ridge, Coney Island and Sea Gate, Democrat Chris McGreight defeated Democrat-turned-Republican incumbent Alec Brook-Krasny with 55% or 16,788 votes to 44% or 13,437 votes. It was a rematch from two years ago.
Brook-Krasny took the seat after defeating Democratic incumbent Mathylde Frontus in 2022. He previously represented the area as a Democrat before he was charged but later acquitted in a pill mill scandal while working at a laboratory clinic.
In the 49th District, which includes Bensonhurt , Democratic challenger Joyce Xiaoqiong Xie toppled 2-term Republican incumbent Lester Chang with 52% or 7,280 votes to 47% or 6,619 votes.
In the Senate, Democrats needed to win only one seat to have a veto-proof majority in the 63-seat Senate.
A Senate campaign spokesman said the party picked up as many as six seats across the state.
On Long Island, Democrats picked up another two seats.
In Suffolk County’s 1st District, Democrat Christopher Murray defeated Republican incumbent Anthony Palumbo by 3 points.
In the 9th district in Nassau County on the border of Queens, Democrat Lisa Malkie Vider defeated Republican incumbent Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
Despite the big losses, Republicans picked up two seats in the Hudson Valley.
In Rockland County’s 38th District, Democrat Joseph Rand, the mayor of Nyack, defeated Republican incumbent Bill Weber.
And in the 39th Distirct part of Dutchess, Orange and Putnam counties), Democrat Lisa Kaul beat Republican incumbent Rob Rolison, the former mayor of Poughkeepsie.
Elswhere, Democrat Sarah Rogerson defeated longtime Republican Jim Tedico in the 44th Capital District.
