B'klyn upset could give state GOP an edge

With Republicans on the brink of an upset in the special State Senate election in Brooklyn, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is crowing a bit.

"What it's really about is that our message is resonating in a district that's 5-to-1 Democrat," Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) told reporters at the State Capitol Wednesday.

The 27th State Senate district in Brooklyn is closer to 3-to-1 Democratic, but that doesn't make the potential upset by David Storobin any less noticeable. Storobin, a Republican, leads Democrat Lew Fidler by 120 votes with 100 percent of the precincts reporting. There are 757 absentee ballots to be counted, but Fidler would have to get 57 percent of those to overcome the deficit.

The district was always considered solidly Democratic and the seat was held for years by Carl Kruger, until he resigned shortly before being convicted on corruption charges in December. A Storobin win would give Republicans a 33-29 edge in that chamber.

Skelos said the Republicans are benefiting by working with Democratic Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to make "government function." He pointed to spending cuts, last year's on-time budget and the expectation this year of another timely budget.

"That message is resonating in Democrat communities and Republican communities throughout the state," Skelos said.

Asked about the GOP's chances of holding on to the Senate despite Democrats' 2-to-1 enrollment advantage statewide, he said: "I think we're going to grow the Senate [majority], not just hold the Senate. I think that it's not just the different ethnic communities in Brooklyn, the Latino community throughout the state. We're reaching into other communities to grow the party. I think our message is resonating through the state."

While a Storobin win would be surprising, recent electoral history in Brooklyn probably plays a role. The State Senate district is part of the same congressional district that elected Republican Bob Turner (R-Rockaway Point) last fall to replace disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner. Still, many had expected the enrollment advantage to pay off for Fidler and the Democrats.

In other special elections Tuesday, according to The Associated Press:

In the Hudson Valley's 103rd Assembly District, Democrat Didi Barrett had a 154-vote lead over Republican Rich Wager. About 1,600 absentee ballots were issued. Barrett and Wager are running to replace Republican Marcus Molinaro.

A Democrat who ran on the Republican line won the special election for a Buffalo-area Assembly seat. Michael Kearns had 57 percent of the vote, compared with 43 percent for Chris Fahey, according to unofficial results.

Democrat Shelley Mayer has eased to a win in Westchester County's 93rd Assembly District to replace Mike Spano, who was elected mayor of Yonkers in November. Mayer had 79 percent of the vote, compared to 21 percent for Republican Donna Nolan, according to unofficial results.

Democrat Frank Skartados is returning to the Assembly after he upended Republican John Forman. Skartados won with 61 percent of the vote, compared to 39 percent for Forman, a Dutchess County legislator, according to unofficial results.