Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

State Senate 2022

State Senate 2022

  • 'I knew the vote would be close, but I didn't think that close': Iwen Chu's History-Making Win in Brooklyn's New 17th State Senate District

    A rally for Iwen Chu, center (photo: @Iwen4NY)


    This month, Iwen Chu became the first Asian-American woman elected to the New York State Senate, clinching an unexpectedly tight victory over Republican Vito LaBella. Starting in January, Chu will represent the 17th Senate District, a newly-created Asian-plurality district in Southern Brooklyn, redrawn in the recent redistricting process based on demographic trends in the 2020 Census, which saw Asian Americans as the fastest growing group in New York in the last ten years.

    Chu’s victory was hard fought, with a margin of just 215 votes as of November 21, and

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  • Democrats Keep Wide State Senate Majority, with Two Races Undecided

    Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins & Deputy Leader Gianaris (photo: NYS Senate Photography)


    New York Democrats are poised to retain a comfortable majority in the State Senate but could lose the supermajority they have held since the 2020 elections.

    Senate Democrats headed into the general election with 42 members in the 63-seat legislative chamber, and needed to hold on to that number to keep their supermajority. Republicans held 20 seats, while one that was most recently held by a Democrat was vacant.

    On Wednesday, with most votes tallied, Democrats were victorious in at least 40

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Republican Leader Rob Ortt on Key State Senate Races

    State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt (photo: NY Senate GOP)


    November 7, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Republican Leader Rob Ortt on State Senate Races

    New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt joined the show to discuss Republicans' hopes for a big election night in retaking seats won by Democrats in recent election cycles.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the show through the embedded audio below or download the episode wherever you get your

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Democratic Campaign Chair Michael Gianaris on State Senate Battlegrounds

    State Senate Deputy Leader & Campaign Chair Michael Gianaris (photo: Office of Senator Gianaris)


    November 7, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Democratic Campaign Chief Michael Gianaris on State Senate Races

    State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, the Chair of the New York Democratic Senate Committee, joined the show to discuss the State Senate battleground races and Democrats' hopes for keeping their supermajority.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You

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  • Races to Watch in New York’s 2022 General Election

    A look at the voting ahead (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    Election Day 2022 is less than two months away and there’s much at stake in New York, both at the state and national levels. After a messy redistricting process led to a bifurcated primary, the general election is well underway for statewide, state legislative, and congressional seats.

    At the top of the ballot are the races for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller, as well as one U.S. Senate seat (currently held by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is seeking reelection).

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  • ‘Incredible Amount of Money Spent on Lying’: Gustavo Rivera on Winning His Primary and What Comes Next

    State Senator Gustavo Rivera (photo: NYS Senate Media Services)


    Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera is no stranger to contentious campaigns, but his bid this year for a seventh term has been exceptionally so.

    Rivera, a hero of New York’s progressive left known for his independence and outspokenness, recently survived a tough Democratic primary race by a narrow margin — just 506 votes. The particularly competitive and at times nasty primary was in part the result of a messy redistricting process, but also showed both interest among many local political figures in ousting Rivera and the

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Kristen Gonzalez is Heading Toward the New York State Senate

    Kristen Gonzalez (photo: Gonzalez campaign)


    September 7, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Kristen Gonzalez is Likely Heading to the New York State Senate

    Kristen Gonzalez, a democratic socialist, won her August Democratic primary election for a new State Senate seat (district 59) covering parts of western Queens and Brooklyn as well as a slice of the East Side of Manhattan, and is all but certain to win the general election and become a State Senator in January. She joined the show to discuss her winning campaign, policy priorities, and more.

    Listen to the conversation and

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  • Max Politics Podcast: State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Surviving a Major Primary Challenge

    Senator Gustavo Rivera, right, with Rep. Adriano Espaillat (photo: Rivera campaign website)


    September 2, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Surviving a Major Primary Challenge

    State Senator Gustavo Rivera of the Bronx joined the show to discuss winning his August 2022 Democratic primary despite a well-organized, well-funded attempt to unseat him.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the show through the embedded

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  • Several Significant Wins and One Big Loss for Working Families Party in Latest New York Primaries

    The Working Families Party in Queens (photo: @NYWFP)


    The results of the August party primary elections for the U.S. House of Representatives and State Senate were bittersweet for the New York Working Families Party, the progressive third party that seeks to push Democrats to the left. The WFP is one of the most prominent actors in the intra-party battle Democrats continue to wage in New York and beyond.

    Several WFP-backed Democratic incumbents who faced competitive challenges emerged victorious in their primary races. Other endorsed candidates won primaries for open seats, likely adding to the ranks

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  • A Closer Look at Voter Turnout in New York's August 2022 Primaries

    Voters at the polls (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    The August primary election for congressional and State Senate races in New York saw significantly low voter turnout, barely topping single digits in many districts across the state. It was the predictable outcome of an unprecedented election that resulted from a tumultuous redistricting process that unfolded this year, all adding to New York’s voter turnout crisis. Despite many competitive races, several of which were narrowly decided, New Yorkers again showed little enthusiasm to cast their ballots.

    The party primaries,

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Breaking Down the 2022 New York State Senate Primary Results

    At the voting booth (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    August 25, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Breaking Down the 2022 State Senate Primary Results, with Jeff Coltin

    Jeff Coltin of City and State New York joined the show to discuss the outcomes of the 2022 New York State Senate primaries, particularly in New York City, and various related themes.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the show through the embedded audio below or download the

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  • Results Roundup: 2022 U.S. House and State Senate Primary Elections

    (l-r) Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, Kristen Gonzalez (top) 
    Gustavo Rivera, Robert Jackson, Andrew Gounardes


    New York’s second primary election of the year has concluded, determining the general election nominees for the House of Representatives and State Senate. There were several competitive races, mostly among Democrats, across the city and state and while winners have been declared in most of them, a few are too close to call and could be decided in the coming days once thousands of absentee ballots are tallied.

    This was the first-ever primary held in August, a result of a chaotic redistricting process

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  • New York State Senate Races to Watch in the August Primary

    (l-r) State Senators Gustavo Rivera, Robert Jackson, Andrew Gounardes, Kevin Parker


    Early voting for the August 23 primary begins on Saturday, August 13, and there are several competitive races taking place for New York State Senate, with new district maps in place following the decennial redistricting process.

    Democrats currently control the 63-member State Senate, with a 42-20 majority (there is

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  • Max Politics Podcast: Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris on the Court of Appeals, Gun Control, & More

    Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (photo: NYS Senate Photography)


    July 12, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris on the Court of Appeals, Gun Control, & More

    State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss upheaval at the New York Court of Appeals, redistricting, bail reform, gun control, the upcoming State Senate elections, and more.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think, on Twitter @TweetBenMax. You can listen to the

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  • Sitting Senator and Former City Council Member Face Off in New Brooklyn State Senate District

    Andrew Gounardes, left, and David Yassky


    Following a chaotic redistricting process in New York, an interesting State Senate primary is shaping up in parts of Brooklyn.

    State Senator Andrew Goundares, who represents the current 22nd district, and former City Council Member David Yassky are the only two Democratic candidates who have entered the race for the new 26th State Senate District. The district includes some of Gounardes’ current district, notably his home turf of Bay Ridge, as well as the neighborhoods of Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Red Hook, and parts of Sunset Park, Park Slope,

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  • Stringer Preps State Senate Primary Challenge to Hoylman

    Scot Stringer, left, and Brad Hoylman (photo: @bradhoylman)


    New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, is running for reelection in a redrawn district after a chaotic state redistricting process. But the incumbent could face serious competition in the August primary as former New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer is gearing up to challenge him.  

    Hoylman had previously considered a bid for an open seat in New York’s 10th congressional district, which is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, who is now running in the redrawn 12th

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