Blab Politics
New York Senate Democrats Eye Supermajority Ahead of 2026 Midterms, Says Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins said on September 11 that Democrats are confident they can regain the supermajority they lost in 2024. The party currently holds 41 of the 63 Senate seats, one short of the two‑thirds threshold that gives a veto‑proof majority. The 2026 midterm election, scheduled for November 3, could bring that seat back, according to the source.
Democrats lost the supermajority in the 2024 election when Republican Steve Chan defeated incumbent Democrat Iwen Chu in the 17th Senate district, which covers parts of Brooklyn. Chan’s victory gave Republicans one seat in the Senate, leaving Democrats with 41 seats. The 2024 election was held on November 5, 2024, and the 2026 election will be held on November 3, 2026, with primaries on June 23, 2026. The Senate’s 63 seats are elected to two‑year terms with no term limits.
Stewart‑Cousins said the political environment is favorable for Democrats and that the party’s focus on economic issues will resonate with voters. She noted that while the state’s elite discuss billionaires and ballrooms, ordinary New Yorkers are concerned about childcare costs. She added that the party’s emphasis on alleviating economic stress will help Democrats win votes. The source also reports that Stewart‑Cousins is confident that Governor Kathy Hochul will be re‑elected, citing a ‘great story to tell.’ The governor’s campaign has highlighted economic recovery and social programs.
Democratic strategist Jack O’Donnell said the party could pick up seats in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Saratoga County, while Republican strategist Chapin Fay noted that Long Island could see flips and that Governor Hochul is unpopular in upstate polls. Fay also said Republicans could chip away at the Democratic advantage by targeting seats lost in 2024. Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is challenging Hochul for governor, adding another layer of competition. The source indicates that the Senate’s current composition gives Democrats a powerful position, but Republicans see opportunities to regain seats.
Retaining a supermajority in the Senate and the Assembly would give the Legislature a veto‑proof majority, allowing it to override gubernatorial vetoes. It would also reinforce the party’s symbolic dominance in state politics. The Assembly already holds a supermajority, and Democrats have controlled the Senate since 2019. A 2026 election that restores the Senate supermajority would enable the party to pursue its agenda without needing Republican cooperation. The source notes that the results of the 2026 election will indicate whether recent rightward shifts in parts of New York are enduring or if a ‘blue wave’ materializes.
At present, Democrats hold 41 seats and are one seat away from a supermajority. The 2026 election will determine whether they can regain that threshold. Candidates must file between March 30 and April 2, 2026, and primaries will take place on June 23. The Senate’s composition will affect the balance of power with Governor Hochul and the Assembly. The outcome will also influence policy priorities, including economic relief and social programs, and will be closely watched by both parties as the midterms approach.
Democrats lost the supermajority in the 2024 election when Republican Steve Chan defeated incumbent Democrat Iwen Chu in the 17th Senate district, which covers parts of Brooklyn. Chan’s victory gave Republicans one seat in the Senate, leaving Democrats with 41 seats. The 2024 election was held on November 5, 2024, and the 2026 election will be held on November 3, 2026, with primaries on June 23, 2026. The Senate’s 63 seats are elected to two‑year terms with no term limits.
Stewart‑Cousins said the political environment is favorable for Democrats and that the party’s focus on economic issues will resonate with voters. She noted that while the state’s elite discuss billionaires and ballrooms, ordinary New Yorkers are concerned about childcare costs. She added that the party’s emphasis on alleviating economic stress will help Democrats win votes. The source also reports that Stewart‑Cousins is confident that Governor Kathy Hochul will be re‑elected, citing a ‘great story to tell.’ The governor’s campaign has highlighted economic recovery and social programs.
Democratic strategist Jack O’Donnell said the party could pick up seats in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Saratoga County, while Republican strategist Chapin Fay noted that Long Island could see flips and that Governor Hochul is unpopular in upstate polls. Fay also said Republicans could chip away at the Democratic advantage by targeting seats lost in 2024. Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is challenging Hochul for governor, adding another layer of competition. The source indicates that the Senate’s current composition gives Democrats a powerful position, but Republicans see opportunities to regain seats.
Retaining a supermajority in the Senate and the Assembly would give the Legislature a veto‑proof majority, allowing it to override gubernatorial vetoes. It would also reinforce the party’s symbolic dominance in state politics. The Assembly already holds a supermajority, and Democrats have controlled the Senate since 2019. A 2026 election that restores the Senate supermajority would enable the party to pursue its agenda without needing Republican cooperation. The source notes that the results of the 2026 election will indicate whether recent rightward shifts in parts of New York are enduring or if a ‘blue wave’ materializes.
At present, Democrats hold 41 seats and are one seat away from a supermajority. The 2026 election will determine whether they can regain that threshold. Candidates must file between March 30 and April 2, 2026, and primaries will take place on June 23. The Senate’s composition will affect the balance of power with Governor Hochul and the Assembly. The outcome will also influence policy priorities, including economic relief and social programs, and will be closely watched by both parties as the midterms approach.
