Senate loss slams state GOP

With all districts reporting, Aubertine, of Cape Vincent, was beating Republican Assemblyman Will Barclay of Pulaski, 27,901 to 25,345 votes, or 52 to 47 percent. Barclay would have had to claim an overwhelming majority of the estimated 3,800 absentee ballots sent out by election officials.

Barclay conceded the race to Aubertine at about 10:30 p.m.

"Life goes on," he said. "We have to make sure now that central New York continues to be represented."

Democrats were celebrating, beyond the immediate victory in one race. Aubertine's win pares the Republican Senate majority to 32-30, a one-seat advantage. All the senators are up for re-election in the fall. Democrats, who already hold all the statewide elected posts and the Assembly majority, are determined to take over the Republicans' last bastion in state government.

"We think there is a lot of evidence that this is going to carry over down the ballot and help us win some congressional races, finally flip the Senate," said Democratic Chairwoman June O'Neill, a North Country native. "Really show that we can meet them and we can beat 'em."

State Republican Party officials didn't immediately return calls for comment.

With the race over, political observers and party insiders predict there will likely be shake-ups in the leadership of one or both Senate conferences. With the Republican loss, some predict that Bruno, R-Brunswick, may be forced to step down. Sens. Tom Libous and Dean Skelos have both been waiting in the wings to replace Bruno. But Libous of Binghamton took a leadership role in the 48th, and with a Republican defeat, he may very well be passed over for the top spot in the Republican conference.

With Democrats seeing the majority now in reach, some in the party have speculated there may be a change in leadership there as well. Deputy Senate Minority Leader Jeff Klein, D-Westchester, has been discussed as a possible replacement for current minority leader, Malcolm Smith, D-Queens.

Voters in the district have faced an onslaught of commercials, campaign events, fliers, phone calls and door-knocking by volunteers since January, when Republican Sen. James Wright stepped down after 15 years. The race has been the focus of statewide attention for the two parties and the two Senate conferences, who have thrown millions of dollars and thousands of hours of manpower into the race.

It is likely that well over $2 million will have been spent on this Senate race alone, second only to the special election last year on Long Island, which cost over $5 million and resulted in Democrat Craig Johnson winning the traditionally Republican senate seat. The 48th Senate District had been Republican for nearly a century.

"This is sending a message," O'Neill said. "Just like Craig Johnson on Long Island, there are no more safe Republican seats. We can meet them, we can compete with them on their 10-yard line."