Democrats Take Control of New York State Senate

Democrats hoping for a blue wave certainly got one in New York State.

At the top of the ticket, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo secured a third term in a landslide victory over Republican Marc Molinaro. In the race for attorney general, Letitia James, New York City's public advocate, captured nearly 62 percent of the vote. With the win, she becomes the first African-American woman to hold a statewide office, and the first woman to be attorney general in New York.

In what was perhaps the biggest prize of the night, Democrats gained control of the State Senate, giving them complete control of all branches of state government. Democrats' efforts to pass a host of progressive legislation -- like the Child Victims Act, cash bail reform, rent regulations and election reform -- had long been thwarted by Republicans. 

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is now in line to lead the chamber. "We will finally give New Yorkers the progressive leadership they have been demanding," she said in a statement. 

Democrats only needed to flip one seat to secure a majority but they gained at least eight seats.

On Long Island, Anna Kaplan and James Gaughran secured seats in the state senate, defeating Republican incumbents Elaine Phillips and Carl Marcellino, respectively. In Rockland County, Democrat James Skoufis beat out Thomas Basile to secure an open seat.

In South Brooklyn's 22nd Senate District, the race remains too close to call. Democrat Andrew Gounardes holds a slim lead over incumbent State Senator Marty Golden, who has been in office since 2003. Gounardes declared victory overnight.

"Tonight, the voters of Southern Brooklyn have said that they want new leadership in Albany that delivers real results for working families," Gounardes said. "I want to thank Marty Golden for his years of public service, not only as an elected official but also for his year as a police officer. Despite our differences we both agree that public service is truly a privilege. Tomorrow begins a new chapter."

Despite Gounardes' lead, Golden's camp said he wouldn't back down. 

Here’s the start of @SenMartyGolden’s speech to supporters tonight in #BK: pic.twitter.com/71nTTsew0d

— Jeanmarie Evelly (@JeanmarieEvelly) November 7, 2018

"This is not over," Golden said to a crowd of supporters Tuesday night, citing 3,000 uncounted ballots. "It's very, very close and we believe we have the opportunity to put this over the top."

Republicans have controlled the State Senate for most of the last fifty years, with Democrats wresting power briefly in 1965 and again in 2008.

Since 2011, Democrats have held a numeric majority but they were effectively kept out of power after a breakaway faction -- known as the Independent Democratic Conference -- caucused with Republicans.