ALBANY — Republicans yesterday inched closer to recapturing the state Senate when Democratic incumbent Sen. Antoine Thompson of Buffalo finally conceded to his GOP challenger.
In what was considered a stunning loss, Thompson phoned Republican Mark Grisanti to bow out of the nearly monthlong recount fight.
Thompson lost to the criminal-defense lawyer by 527 votes in the heavily Democratic district.
His defeat gives Republicans 31 seats and means the Democrats’ best hope now is to split control of the 62-seat chamber.
But that’s assuming Sen. Craig Johnson (D-LI) pulls ahead in his own recount battle, which isn’t likely. Johnson currently trails Mineola Mayor Jack Martins by more than 400 votes.
Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-LI) has already claimed control of the chamber.
Democrats, however, refuse to concede.
Majority spokesman Austin Shafran said the party could still keep power if Johnson wins and Lt. Gov.-elect Robert Duffy casts a tie-break vote for a Democratic leader.
Democrats won a 32-30 majority two years ago — when Thompson was elected — after decades of Republican rule.