Parties battle for control of State Senate

Republicans were locked in battle with Democrats last night over control of the State Senate, which would give the GOP power at the critical time of redrawing of the election district boundaries after the 2010 census.

"What's at stake is the next 10 years," said Stanley B. Klein, professor of history and politics at C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and a Suffolk Republican committeeman. "If [the Senate] can be taken back by the Republicans, the Republicans can redistrict so they have control."

Democrats currently hold a 32-29 edge over Republicans in the Senate.

But redistricting isn't all that's at stake. With Republicans in control of the Senate, Long Island residents can expect tax relief and school funding for suburban districts to be at the top of the Senate agenda, said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant. Also, control of committee leadership positions and additional staff comes with control of the Senate, he said.

If they win, "The Republicans will take care of their own," Sheinkopf said.

Control of the Senate looms large for one Long Island Republican, Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre. Skelos, who turned back a challenge from Woodmere attorney George Sava, is the likely choice for the leadership post of the Senate, a job he held in 2008, the last time Republicans held the majority in the Senate.

Two Long Island races were part of a half-dozen Senate races throughout the state that both parties pumped money into during the final weeks of the campaign in an effort to win control.

The Democrats have poured in $2.1 million in large donations since Oct. 19, and the Republicans have put in $1.7 million, according to campaign expense reports. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee took in $1.7 million and the Senate Republican Committee gathered $658,488.

Last night, the local races were playing a role in the turbulent contest for control of the State Senate, including the Suffolk County battle involving incumbent Democrat Brian X. Foley, 52, of Blue Point. Foley conceded victory to his Republican challenger Lee Zeldin, 30, of Shirley, in the 3rd Senate District. Foley, a former Brookhaven supervisor, won the seat in 2008. Zeldin is an Iraq war veteran and former candidate for Congress.

In Nassau's 7th District race, Democrat Craig Johnson of Port Washington held a lead over Republican Jack M. Martins. Johnson, 39, was ahead of Martins, according to unofficial election returns. Johnson won a special election to the Senate in 2007, and was re-elected in 2008. Martins, 43, has been mayor of the Village of Mineola since 2002.