The race between longtime Republican State Senator Frank Padavan and Democratic Councilman James Gennaro remains unresolved. A week ago, the New York Times reported that Padavan was leading by about 502 votes with 8,000 absentee ballots that needed to be counted.

Now Democrats are accusing Republicans of racism, alleging that they are trying to disqualify votes from minority districts.

If Padavan goes down, New York City will have only two Republican State Senators, Martin Golden of Brooklyn (who did not have an opponent) and Andrew Lanza of Staten Island.

If Padavan survives, the district no doubt will be the top Democratic target in 2010.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (4)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

It's very sad what has
written by alice Lemos , November 20, 2008

happened in Queens. We used to have two state senators, three city councilmen, and one assembly man (Prescott). We may be done to zero. There were races we should have won: the one that Avella one and the race in which Carozza defeated Prescott.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Paladin , November 20, 2008

Queens should be a place where republicans can do well. Unfortunately for years they have neglected any effort to reach out to immigrant and minority voters. If we don't get the votes of hispanics, asians and other immigrants in Queens we will have no future.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

I apologize for
written by alice Lemos , November 20, 2008

the typos - I meant, the race that Avella had "originally won". Saffran lost that by about 1%.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Jay Golub , November 20, 2008

I agree Paladin. The GOP needs to increase the diversity of support they recieve. Unfortunately, many in the GOP refuse to take very principled positions on issues that will appeal to a wider group of voters - especially to minorities and young people.

The key for the GOP is to effectively craft a message that appeals to the "minorities" and youth of NYC and aggressively (and proudly) campaign on their collective home turf.

To date, Republican candidates have not shown the ability and/or interest to doing just that...

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0