A Great Night For New York!

Barack Obama was elected in a landslide victory last night, but it wasn't the only cause for celebration, especially here in the Empire State. The NY Democratic State Party played Sinatra's "New York, New York" and for good reason. The gains we made from Congress down to City Council were fantastic. There are only three Republicans left in Congressional delegation now, with Michael McMahon's, Dan Maffei and Eric Massa's victories.

In the already heavily Democratic Assembly we picked up another seat but the real contest was in the State Senate. Despite disappointing numbers from Western NY, Brian Foley and Joseph Addabbo managed to beat long time incumbents Caesar Trunzo and Serphin Maltese respectively. Those two give the Dems the majority, with a close call in SD-11 where Jim Gennaro is trying to unseat 36 year stalwart Frank Padavan. The latest numbers show Jim trailing, but it is too close for Gennaro to concede now. Although the independent Dems in the Senate poise to give Paterson and Malcolm Smith some problems, it is still extraordinary to see the power taken from Dean Skelos and ultimately, Joe Bruno's hands. We will have to wait and see how things develop, which will start to show when Smith holds his caucus meeting up in Albany today.

And of course, much of this can be credited to the top of the ticket, President-elect Barack Obama (God I love saying that!). He certainly helped give the edge to Elizabeth Crowley who knocked newcomer Republican Anthony Como out of his Queens Council district. That leaves Republicans with just two out of fifty-one spots on the City Council. Not that it matters in the scheme of things at City Hall, but it adds sprinkles on top of an already delicious night.

Oh and last but not least, cheers to everyone in New York that helped make these gains possible. Governor Paterson thanked all the canvassers, phonebankers, etc in his speech last night and I second that praise, from Western New York to Eastern Long Island.