Five Republican State Senators Will Not Run for Re-Election
May 9th, 2018
Five Republican State Senators announced in recent weeks that they will not run for re-election this fall. The Senate GOP will be defending their one-vote majority in the Senate, which they have because Democratic Senator Simcha Felder caucuses with them.
State Senator Tom Croci (R-Suffolk County) announced that he will not run for re-election this fall. Croci, who was first elected in 2014, is being recalled to active duty in the Naval Reserve. The 3rd Senate District includes south and central Suffolk County, and includes large parts of Brookhaven and Islip. Democrats have a small enrollment advantage, with 64,333 voters to Republicans’ 56,360, with 47,183 people who are not aligned with any political party.
State Senator Bill Larkin (R-Orange and Rockland counties) announced his retirement after almost 28 years in office. The 39th Senate District includes parts or Orange, Ulster and Rockland counties. Democrats hold an enrollment advantage in the district, 65,669 to 51,595, with 38,262 not enrolled in any party.
In Central New York, Senator John DeFrancisco said that he will not seek re-election. He had launched, but has since suspended, a race for Governor. Senator DeFrancisco has been a tremendous advocate for Upstate taxpayers and employers, and he will be missed. The 50th Senate District includes part of Onondaga County and a portion of Cayuga County. While this seat has been in Republicans hands for decades, the Democrats are planning to try to win it in what they hope will be a favorable political environmental in November.
In the Capital Region, Senator Kathy Marchione (R– Saratoga County) said last Thursday that she plans to retire after three terms in office. The 43rd Senate District includes parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington counties and all of Columbia County. The seat is considered a “safe” Republican district.
Lastly, Senator John Bonacic (R-Orange County) announced that he will not run for re-election after serving for 20 years. The 42nd Senate District includes Sullivan County, ten towns and two cities in Orange County, six towns in Ulster County, and six towns in Delaware County. The Democrats also see this seat a pickup opportunity – there are about 11,000 more Democrats than Republicans, but there also some 43,000 unaffiliated voters.
With five incumbent Senate Republicans retiring this year and a national mood that appears to benefit Democrats, the Senate Republicans are going to have to work hard to bring their legislative majority back to Albany in 2019.
You will be hearing a lot more about these races as we move toward November.