2024 state legislative races to watch

The primaries are done, which means that it is full steam ahead for the November elections in the state Legislature.

Democrats have maintained supermajorities in both the state Senate and the Assembly, but Republicans are hoping to chip away at those numbers. The lower chamber has reason to sweat – with the early exit of Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski, Democrats only have 101 members in the Assembly, the smallest majority the party has had in years. Losing just three seats currently or most recently held by Democrats would cost the party its supermajority. Democrats lost a number of seats in 2022, a trend they surely hope to reverse this year.

Democrats in the state Senate saw their own supermajority drop by one member last cycle, but they still held onto their two-thirds majority of 42 seats. Any losses this year would drop their numbers into simple majority territory. And Republicans have some real pick-up opportunities in both open seats and districts where incumbents barely won in 2022.

But Democrats are also on the offensive in a few races, looking to flip seats in both chambers while defending their positions. A slew of retirements and other political maneuverings have resulted in a number of open seats that have attracted competitive candidates.



https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/07/2024-state-legislative-races-watch/398067/