<a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/skelos-credited-with-uniting-gop-in-senate-1.3867384">In forecasting the upcoming elections, </a>the state Senate’s top Republican is not only predicting the GOP will hold on to the chamber, but will increase its advantage. Currently, the GOP holds a 33-29 edge over the Democrats. 
 Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) said Republicans successfully will defend all the seats it now controls – including the seat being vacated by Sen. Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon). Further, Skelos predicted his party will win open seats in Westchester County and the Capital Region, and will defeat Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Ozone Park). 
 “We're going to pick up several seats,” Skelos said. “I'm very optimistic we're going to come back with 35 or 36 seats.” 
 Democrats contend that their 2-1 enrollment advantage and the presidential election — which typically boosts Dem turnout in New York — will help them regain the state&nbsp;Senate. They say they are “playing offense” on eight or nine Republican-held seats while Republicans are targeting&nbsp;just two Democrats. 
 &nbsp;

In forecasting the upcoming elections, the state Senate’s top Republican is not only predicting the GOP will hold on to the chamber, but will increase its advantage. Currently, the GOP holds a 33-29 edge over the Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) said Republicans successfully will defend all the seats it now controls – including the seat being vacated by Sen. Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon). Further, Skelos predicted his party will win open seats in Westchester County and the Capital Region, and will defeat Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Ozone Park). “We're going to pick up several seats,” Skelos said. “I'm very optimistic we're going to come back with 35 or 36 seats.” Democrats contend that their 2-1 enrollment advantage and the presidential election — which typically boosts Dem turnout in New York — will help them regain the state Senate. They say they are “playing offense” on eight or nine Republican-held seats while Republicans are targeting just two Democrats.

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