New York Democrats Victorious in Special Elections

New York Democrats Victorious in Special Elections
Triumphs Continue Trend of 2016 Cycle Successes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post lauded tonight’s Democratic special election wins in the New York state Senate and Assembly. On Tuesday, New York Democrats Todd Kaminsky, Jamie Williams, and Alice Cancel were elected in Senate District 9 and Assembly Districts 59 and 65, respectively. These victories come on the heels of a series of special election successes in Maine and Kentucky and after strong Democratic performances in key regions in last fall’s legislative elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

“Congratulations to Senator-elect Kaminsky and new Assembly members Williams and Cancel on their victories in tonight’s specials,” said Post. “With these wins, Democrats continue a clear pattern of electoral successes that will continue into the fall – not just in state legislative contests, but all the way to the top of the ballot. Voters in New York and across the country want leaders who reflect the American ideals of opportunity and freedom, and when voters bring those demands to the ballot box, Democrats win.

“The DLCC was proud to help support tonight’s winners, who reflect not only the high quality of Democratic legislative candidates this year, but also the values Democrats represent,” Post continued. “Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump won his party’s primary tonight, but most New Yorkers abhor the extremist ideologies he embraces. These down-ballot wins for Democrats demonstrate New Yorkers’ appetite to keep Trump ‘values’ in check.”

Senate District 9 encompasses parts of Long Island and is a Democratic pick-up, as the seat had been held by Republican Dean Skelos, who was convicted of corruption last year. Assembly Districts 59 and 65 include southeastern Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, respectively.

This victory is just the latest in a series of Democratic successes in recent special and general state legislative elections. Last summer, Democrats won key special elections in previously-Republican suburban districts in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Democrats went on to pick up seats in the Louisiana Senate, Virginia House, and New Jersey Assembly in last November’s general elections. On March 8, Democrats won three pivotal Kentucky House special elections, picking up a seat and increasing our majority. Also on March 8, Democrats flipped a Republican-leaning House seat in NewHampshire, where Democrats anticipate picking up majorities in both legislative chambers this fall. On March 29, Democrats won a key special election in the Maine Senate.