State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer from Westchester County said Thursday she won’t be seeking re-election this fall because she has to undergo major shoulder replacement surgery.

Oppenheimer has served in the state Senate for 28 years, and was mayor of Mamaroneck, N.Y., for eight years.
In 2010, she narrowly beat her Republican challenger, Bob Cohen, who said he'll run again this fall. He said he may have an advantage in the 37th district thanks to the open seat.

"In my opinion, an open seat is always a little bit easier for a person who is not … an incumbent or a career politician -- for a challenger to win an open seat," he said.

Democrats haven’t announced any potential candidates for the seat.

But state Senator Michael Gianaris said he’s confident his party can hold on to the district, citing an “overwhelming Democratic registration advantage” in the 37th.

Gianaris also said the party’s talking to “some very strong potential candidates.”

Both men praised Oppenheimer’s accomplishments in public office.