NYC Wire: Democrat Wins 65th AD Special Election

Not that it's news.

Democrat Micah Kellner defeated Republican Gregory Camp in a special election to replace Assemblyman Alexander Pete Grannis in the 65th Assembly District which includes the Upper East Side of Manhattan east of 3 Avenue between 60th and 90th Streets, and Roosevelt Island.

The big news in the race was The New York Times endorsement of the Republican candidate, which shocked many.

Still, the staunchly Democratic district send a Democrat to the Assembly 64%-36%. Now, for the first time since January, the entire Assembly is filled without any vacanies and Democrats hold a 108-42 majority.

Special Election Results

Yesterday's Special Elections yielded no surprises;

In Nassau County;

Democrat Michelle Schmiel won a landslide victory for the 16th State Assembly seat in Northwestern Nassau County, replacing State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, also a Democrat.

Democrat Wayne Wink also won a landslide victory for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature, replacing Democrat Craig Johnson, who was elected to the state senate.

In Staten Island;

Democrat Matthew Titone won the special election for the 61st State Assembly district, replacing the late John Lavelle, also a Democrat

Republican Lou Tobacco won the 62nd State Assembly district special election to replace Vincent Ignizio, another Republican who was elected to the New York City Council. Tobacco, like his predecesor, will be the only GOP member of the state assembly from New York City.

No, that doesn't end the Special Elections in the state Assembly. Rockland County Democrat Kenneth Zebrowski passed away earlier this month, so another Special Election will be called to fill his seat and there's still the question over the seat of Manhattan Assemblyman Alexander Pete Grannis' seat. Grannis was tapped to be Commissioner of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, which would force him to vacate his seat...and then ANOTHER special election will be called.

Tired yet?

Special Election Alerts!

On the heels of the recent Special Election for State Senate in northwestern Nassau County, there are numerous other special elections that will occur in the near future to look out for. Some dates have been set, others have not.

1.) New York State Assembly- District 16
-The seat of now-State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Located in Northwestern Nassau County (entirely in the 7th State Senate district, where the last special election was held), it includes Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Plandome, Roslyn, North Hills, East Hills, Manhasset Hills, parts of New Hyde Park, Mineola and Albertson. Leans Democratic. Special Election date to be set.

2.) New York State Assembly- District 61
-The seat of the late Assemblyman John Lavelle. A Democrat, Lavelle passed away in late January, leaving the seat vacant. The district includes a hugh swath of Northern Staten Island, including Port Richmond, St George, Tompkinsville, Castleton Corners, Westerleigh and Arlington. District is competitive, but leans Democratic. Special Election date still to be set.

3.) New York State Assembly- District 65
-The seat of former Assemblyman Alexander B. Pete Grannis, a Democrat. Governor Spitzer appointed Grannis to be Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation in his cabinet. The district is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and includes most of the island between 59th St and 96 St, from Lexington Ave to the East River and Roosevelt Island. Grannis has held the seat for over 30 years. It was competitive back then, but may be overwhelmingly Democratic today. Special Election yet to be set.

4.) New York City Council District 40
-The seat of now Democratic Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. District is located mainly in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Is heavily Democratic. Special Election to be held February 20th

5.) New York City Council District 51
-The seat of now Republican State Senator Andrew Lanza. District is located in Southern Staten Island and includes the neighorhoods of Tottenville, Huguenot, Annadale, and Rossville. It is the city's most Republican seat. Special Election to be held February 20th. The only announced candidate in Republican State Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio

If Ignizio wins the Council race, there will be ANOTHER special election...so stay tuned