Several cliffhanger races to determine the fate of the state Senate were too close to call this morning — making it possible the 62-seat chamber could be equally divided between the two parties.
Some observer said it appeared possible early this morning that 31 seats would go to Democrats and 31 to Republicans, which would likely plunge it into chaos as each side strives for control.
Of course, Senate Republicans were claiming victory, while Democrats said they were “very confident” they would capture a majority of the 62 seats. Democrats currently have a 32-30 advantage, after winning the majority in 2008 for the first time in decades.
“It appears that we have won at least 32 seats and that’s the magic number,” Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif said early this morning. But his Democratic counterpart, spokesman Austin Shafran, scoffed at Reif’s tally.
“They’re off on that. It’s really too early,” Shafran said. “We are very confident after three of our challengers claimed significant victories, but there are still thousands of votes to be counted.”
The contests still in question early this morning included Republican Lee Zeldin narrowly leading Democrat Brian Foley in Suffolk County’s 3rd Senate District.