Dems' Win in State Senate Race Shrinks GOP Edge

ALBANY -- Republicans' longtime control of the Senate weakened last night as their majority shrank to a single seat with the upset victory of Democrat Darrel Aubertine in a special election in northern New York, Newsday reported.

With all precincts reporting, Aubertine had 52 percent, compared with 48 percent for Republican Will Barclay, the paper reported.

Aubertine and Barclay, both assemblymen, were vying to represent the 48th District, which encompasses Oswego, Jefferson and half of St. Lawrence counties in the state's northwest corner, the paper reported..

The 48th has always elected a Republican. The seat fell vacant with last month's retirement of Sen. James Wright, R- Watertown, after 15 years. Campaigning intensified last week when a poll showed a dead heat, surprising given Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 31,000, the paper reported.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 2/27/08