NYS Senate 2024: Suffolk, Nassau, Queens Each Have 1 Close Race 

Going into this year's elections, Democrats have a supermajority in the State Senate - 42 Democrats vs. 21 Republicans. There are 3 races both parties are keeping a close watch on:

As expected, the North Shore Nassau contest for District 7 between State Senator Jack Martins (R) and first-time candidate Kim Keiserman (D) has become a true barnburner. Surprisingly, District 1 in northern Brookhaven and the East End sees State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R) in a closer-than-expected contest with former County Legislator Sarah Anker (D): “The parties seem to be putting their money where it can make the most difference,” Lawrence Levy, dean of suburban studies at Hofstra University, told Newsday. “Anker versus Palumbo and Keiserman versus Martins are potentially the closest races in the Senate" on Long Island.

In Northeast Queens, Republicans hope to prove their strong showing in 2022 was not a fluke: "A potentially close race may also be seen in Senate District 11 (Whitestone, Glen Oaks, Jamaica Estates), where longtime incumbent State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D) will attempt to stave off a challenge from Republican Yiatin Chu," wrote The Queens Eagle. "Yiatin Chu has spent more than three times as much as Stefano Forte, the Republican candidate running for the same seat in 2022, did."

The other state senate districts appear to be safe for incumbents of both parties — with the exception of Senate District 6 (Rockville Centre, Garden City, Uniondale). There, an open seat was left by the retirement of State Sen. Kevin Thomas (D). Democratic primary winner and Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury) is the strong favorite over Oceanside Republican Thomas Montefinise.