NYS Senate Election Update

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November 24, 2020 Election Update

Hi All,This morning the Senate Democrats won their 42nd seat, enough to provide them a veto-proof majority for the first time in New York State history. Last week, they won several key races that had large Republican vote leads on Election Day on Long Island, in South Brooklyn, and in Upstate New York. These victories are due to Democrats winning large percentages of mail-in ballots returned by Independent voters. This has been unexpected, unprecedented and happening throughout the state. Their majority could be as large as 43 or 44 members once two close races are ultimately called in the coming weeks.While Democrats will now have unprecedented power in January with this veto-proof majority, the Democrats winning these close races are from suburban and upstate districts. For this reason, these members and their slim victories due to the support of registered Independents are still expected to moderate the Senate Democrats’ overall tone and position on controversial bills.  In order to fully discuss the impact of these results on tech issues in Albany, a Zoom call will be set for Tuesday, December 1st at 4pm. In advance of our meeting, below is a summary of key races including the two where mail-in ballot counting is not yet complete.Best,Ryan

Senator Pete Harkham:

This incumbent from the Hudson Valley just declared victory this morning, providing Democrats their 42nd seat. He had been down by 8,000 votes on Election Day and keeping with the state-wide trend, the support he received from Independents was unexpectedly large.

Candidate Michelle Hinchey:

Last week, Democrat Michelle Hinchey declared victory and flipped an open Republican Senate seat in Upstate New York. As with the other close races, Ms. Hinchey won a larger than expected percentage of Independent voters’ mail-in ballots that is unprecedented for this working class district. Ms. Hinchey previously worked at the tech company BrightLine, which creates advertising content for streaming tv and digital media platforms.  

Long Island Senators Kevin Thomas and Jim Gaughran:

Earlier last week, two Long Island State Senators also declared victory after similarly winning much larger than expected shares of mail-in ballots from Independents. Senator Thomas is the sponsor of controversial privacy legislation and Chairs the Senate Consumer Protection Committee which considers bills that affect the tech industry.    

South Brooklyn Senator Andrew Gounardes:

This incumbent also won unexpectedly after all mail-in ballots were counted. Senator Gounardes wrote an op-ed in June about a data tax idea which is unlikely to happen but which we continue to engage on with the Senator and others.

Candidate John Mannion:

This Republican open Senate seat is expected to flip after all mail-in ballots are counted, based on the Independent mail-in ballots Mr. Mannion has already won. Counting will be completed the week after Thanksgiving following a BOE employee testing positive for COVID which required all BOE employees to quarantine.

Senator Jen Metzger:

This Catskills Region district has already had thousands of mail-in ballots rejected which the Senator will be challenging in court. This litigation is expected to delay a final decision in this close race for several weeks.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at [email protected].