Election night put Republican state Senate candidates in the lead here in the Hudson Valley, and if the victories hold they will have flipped multiple seats previously occupied by Democrats. But Democrats aren’t giving up hope yet because they think the absentee ballots will push their candidates to victory.


What You Need To Know

  • James Skoufis is the only Hudson Valley Democrat in the state Senate races who is ahead in the polls after election night

  • However, Democrats still lead in the Senate statewide

  • Democrats think the large amount of absentee ballots could push their candidates ahead

Orange County Democratic Committee Chair Brett Broge says even though election night has ended, the election is far from over.

“There’s still in Orange County 30,000 votes to count and that will at least have an impact on two of the major races in the county,” Broge said.

In Orange County, Broge is referring to the Jen Metzger versus Mike Martucci race in Senate District 42.
Other Hudson Valley races that Democrats still think are winnable are Pete Harckham in District 40, Elijah Melnick in District 38, and Michelle Hinchey in District 46.

“The absentee ballots trended heavily Democrat. So In this senate district it’s a 2-to-1 ratio. So for every one Republican that returned an absentee ballot there are two Democrats that returned an absentee ballot. So I do encourage people to be patient in all of these races in the Hudson Valley,” said Democratic State Senator James Skoufis of District 39.

Statewide, Senate Democrats still have the majority, but Skoufis is the only Democrat in the Hudson Valley ahead in the polls after election night.

“It seems like Donald Trump won this Senate district by a large amount. It’s an indication of the bipartisan support I am delighted to have,” Skoufis said.

The Orange County Board of Elections tells Spectrum News that counting these absentee ballots could take weeks.