The Independent View: NY State Lawmakers Leaving Vacancies in Albany and who Might Replace Them

Election Day has come and gone, but with many New York Elected Officials moving on to other Offices, there are plenty of Vacancies that will need to be filled. Here’s a look at the State Lawmakers who were Elected to another Office and possible Contenders for their Seats.

STATE SENATE

Ruben Diaz Sr. – Democratic State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., the Father of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., won the Election for New York City Council’s (18th District), which was left Vacant by Term-limits. Diaz Sr., who has served in the State Senate (District 32) in the Bronx since 2002, easily beat several Third-Party Candidates. The newly Elected City Councilman’s Successor in the State Senate is likely to be a Democrat, with 139,179 Active Democrats Registered in the Senate District, compared to only 6,662 Active Republicans.

The Race to replace Diaz may lead to another Vacancy in Albany. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, a Democrat, was eyeing Diaz’s Senate Seat, and he is likely to Run for the Vacant position if Gov. Cuomo calls a Special Election. Councilwoman Annabel Palma, another possible Contender, may not make a Bid for the Seat, as she was recently named a Deputy Commissioner in the New York City Mayor de Blasio Administration.

George Latimer – Democratic State Sen. George Latimer knocked out Two-Term Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino with 57% of the Vote, and his Victory prompted Astorino to call off any Rematch against Gov. Andrew Cuomo next year. Latimer’s soon-to-be Vacant Hudson Valley State Senate Seat (37th District) has been a Battleground Race in the past, including in 2010, when Republican Bob Cohen fell just short against Suzi Oppenheimer, and in 2012, when Cohen lost to Latimer. Democrats have an Enrollment Advantage with 81,048 Active Voters, compared to 53,577 Active Republicans.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat, is a serious Contender for Latimer’s Vacant Seat, and would likely be Cuomo’s choice for the position. Democratic Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer has also expressed interest, and Kat Brezler, a Bernie Sanders Organizer from White Plains, has announced her Candidacy.

STATE ASSEMBLY

Mark Gjonaj – Democratic Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was Elected to Represent the New York City Council’s (13th District) in the Bronx, left Vacant by Term-Limits. Now the first Albanian-American to be Elected to the Council, Gjonaj will leave the (80th Assembly District) Open. The successful Contender to Gjonaj’s Seat is likely to be a Democrat, with 44,007 Active Democratic Voters in the District, and only 5,433 Active Republicans.

Al Graf – Republican Assemblyman Alfred Graf was successful in his Campaign for a (5th District) Court Judgeship in Islip. The Suffolk County Lawmaker was first Elected to the Assembly in 2010 and his (5th District) includes parts of his Native Holbrook and Stony Brook. His Assembly District is narrowly divided between 24,179 Active Democrats and 29,231 Active Republicans.

Brian Kavanagh – Democratic Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh cruised to Victory in a Special Election to Replace State Sen. Daniel Squadron's (26th District), who Resigned in the Middle of his Term. Kavanagh’s Assembly (74th District) on Manhattan’s East-Side will likely to be filled by a Democrat, with 53,720 Active Democrats and fewer than 8,000 Active Republicans.

Housing Activist Harvey Epstein is the only Publicly declared Candidate in the Race to fill Kavanagh’s empty Assembly Seat. Mike Corbett, an Aide for New York City Councilman Costa Constantinides and President of the New York State Young Democrats, has also been floated as a possible Candidate.

Michael Kearns – Assemblyman Michael Kearns, a Democrat Running on the GOP Line, narrowly defeated Democratic Candidate and former Radio Host Steve Cichon with 51.9% of the Votes to become the Erie County Clerk. The Post had been Vacant since January, when former Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs was Elected to the State Senate (60th District). In the Assembly, Kearns represented the (142nd District), which comprises parts of South Buffalo, Lackawanna, Seneca, and Orchard Park. The next Assembly Representative from the District is likely to be a Democrat, with 42,768 Active Registered Democrats compared to 20,416 Active Republicans.

Chad Lupinacci – Republican Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci defeated Democrat Candidate Tracey Edwards and Independent Michael Raspantini to become the Supervisor of Huntington, a Seat held by Frank Petrone for 24 years. Lupinacci will leave his Seat of five years in the (10th District) of the Assembly, which includes large portions of Suffolk County. With 31,281 Active Democrats and 25,675 Active Republicans Registered in the District, his successor could easily come from either Party.

Steve McLaughlin – Republican Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin declared victory after garnering 51% of the Vote in the Race for Rensselaer County Executive, and Democratic nominee Andrea Smyth eventually conceded Defeat. McLaughlin will leave a Vacancy in the (107th Assembly District), which includes Rensselaer, Albany, and Columbia Counties. There are 24,905 Active Democratic Voters and 24,772 Active Republicans in the District, which could Translate into a narrow Win for either Party.

Francisco Moya – Assemblyman Francisco Moya, a Queens Democrat, ran Unopposed in the General Election, Winning a New York City Council Seat (21st District) held by Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, who declined to Run for Reelection. The Person to fill his shoes in the Assembly is likely to be a Democrat, with 29,651 Active Democrats and only 3,858 Active Republicans in the (39th District).

Pete Lopez – Former Republican Assemblyman Pete Lopez wasn’t Elected to another Office this month, but he did step aside to become the Regional Administrator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 in October. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Scott Pruitt named Lopez to the Post for Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in September. Lopez’s Seat in the (102nd Assembly District) has since been Vacant, and Republicans have the Edge in Active Voters with 28,609, compared with 22,655 Registered Active Democrats.

Thomas McKevitt – Republican Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt is leaving his Seat in the (17th District) for a more Local Legislative Seat on the Nassau County Legislature after Defeating Democrat Eileen Napolitano on Election Day. McKevitt will Represent the (13th District) of his native East Meadows on a Seat left Vacant by longtime GOP Incumbent Norma Gonsalves. The District has a GOP Advantage, with 39,060 Active Republican Voters and 29,783 Active Democrats.