By Bill Parry
All six incumbent state senators from Queens won re-election by comfortable margins, including state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), who defeated Republican challenger Marvin Jeffcoat of Woodside by 86 percent to 14 percent, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.
“I am pleased the people I represent in Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Ridgewood and Woodhaven continue to feel confident in me,” Gianaris said. “I’ll continue to roll up my shirtsleeves and continue to fight to make their lives better.”
As the deputy Democratic Conference leader, Gianaris had hoped his party would gain control of the Senate by winning seats across the state during this election cycle. A win by Long Island Democrat Todd Kaminsky gives the party 26 seats, with seven more seats that are part of the Independent Democrats Conference, and Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder who conferences with Republicans who hold 31 positions.
Two other races are too close to count and could swing to the Democrats, according to Gianaris.
“We still have hope that when they’re counted we’ll have enough for the majority,” Gianaris said. As for IDC leader Jeff Klein of the Bronx, who has aligned his splinter group with the Republicans in the past, Gianaris said they are in discussions to unite to establish a working majority for the Democrats.
“We’ve been talking with him and those conversations will continue,” he said. “It will be a few weeks before all of the absentee votes are counted and they’ll want to see where that takes us. They won’t even start opening those envelopes until next week.”
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), the only member of the Independent Democrats Conference from Queens, would not comment.
“The Republicans won an outright majority and there are still races being counted in certain districts so the IDC and Sen. Avella will not be issuing a statement until the time is right and the picture is clearer,” his spokesman said.
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) defeated Republican nominee Jesus Rodriguez of East Elmhurst 86 percent to 14 percent. He declared the battle to win the majority in the Senate is not over.
“We are continuing to fight for every vote,” Peralta said. “And we are hopeful the landscape in Albany will change when the very last vote is counted.”
Avella defeated Republican challenger Mark Cippolla by 64 percent to 29 percent Tuesday. State Sens. Leroy Comrie (D-Hollis), Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) all won their races convincingly.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
