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New York - The New York State Democratic Party released the following statement on the results of yesterday's elections.
"It's clear that all politics really are local and that the Republican Party and the pundits really missed the mark on this one. The fact that Democrats maintained their majority in Nassau, expanded it in Suffolk, picked up seats in Monroe and Onondaga and won a new majority in Dutchess County just goes to show you how out of touch the conventional wisdom was with the reality on the ground," said New York State Democratic Chair June O'Neill.
"Not only that, but Democrats won major victories in the backyards of vulnerable Republican State Senators including Kemp Hannon, Joe Robach, Tom Morahan, John DeFrancisco and Caesar Trunzo," said State Party co-chair Dave Pollak.
"In fact if you look at the results there is only one clear trend: Joe Bruno's Senate Majority is in deeper trouble today than it was last night," said O'Neill.
A Round Up of Key Races Across the State
Nassau County: In Nassau County Democrats held control of the Nassau County Legislature. County Legislator Dave Mejias was re-elected in Joe Mondello's backyard despite being a top target of state and county Republicans. The district leans Republican. It also overlaps State Sen. Kemp Hannon's district.
Suffolk County: Democrats won historic victories - expanding their majority on the Suffolk County Legislature and defending against fierce GOP challenges against Democratic incumbents in two Republican leaning districts.
In Brookhaven Democratic Town Supervisor Brian Foley was re-elected and in Islip, Democrat Phil Nolan won a resounding victory for Supervisor and a new majority on his Town Board.
Suffolk victories came in precincts all across GOP State Senator Caesar Trunzo's district.
Dutchess County: Democrats have won a 13-12 on the County Legislature putting them in the majority for the first time since 1977. Democrats in Dutchess also won the Mayor's race in the town of Beacon.
These victories come in the backyard of GOP State Senator Stephen Saland.
Rockland County: In a major upset, Democrat Tom Zugibe, defeated 12 year GOP incumbent District Attorney Michael Bongiorno. Democrats also won all 5 Town Supervisor Races.
These victories come in the backyard of GOP State Senator Tom Morahan.
Monroe County: In Monroe County Democrats picked up two seats in the County Legislature narrowing Republican control to one seat. The Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green won re-election in a landslide.
Richard Beebe, who captured a County Legislative seat in the 6th District won an upset victory in the heart of GOP State Senator Joe Robach's district.
Erie County: While the Democratic nominee for Erie County Executive was defeated, County Clerk Kathy Hochul won a 2-1 victory over her Republican opponent. County Exec nominee Jim Keane was held down by a rough primary and an opponent who picked up on local frustrations with career elected officials.
Onondaga County: In Onondaga County Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli lost a tough race to former Syracuse City Councilmember Joanie Mahoney. It is important to note that in the 40 year history of the office of Onondaga County Executive, no Democrat has ever been elected to that office. Magnarelli came through a rough primary and faced a popular and well known GOP nominee in a seat Democrats have never had in the history of the office.
Despite a tough race at the top of the ticket, Democratic challengers picked up two seats on the Onondaga County Legislature narrowing Republican control to 2 seats.
In one race Thomas C Buckel (District 8) defeated a GOP incumbent in a district that overlaps with Republican State Senator John DeFrancisco.
Rensselaer County: Joe Bruno had a bad night on his home turf. Republicans headed into election night with a 6-3 majority on the Troy City Council. Last night those numbers were reversed. When the Council is sworn in, Democrats will hold a 6-3 majority.
Oneida County: Democratic challenger David Roeffero defeated the Republican incumbent for Utica Mayor - taking the seat back for Democrats for the first time in decades.
Lewis County: Democratic challenger Leeann Moser defeated the 8 year incumbent Republican District Attorney to become only the 3rd Democrat to hold the office in more than 100 years.
Niagara Falls: Paul Dyster was elected Niagara Falls Mayor.
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