While much of the attention in the aftermath of this week's special elections has been focused on New York state Democrats and their efforts to take over the state Senate, several Republicans have been busy plotting their exit. Three Republican state senators are stepping down at the end of the year, giving Democrats more opportunities to seize control of the chamber.
Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse), who this week also abandoned a GOP gubernatorial bid, said he was in the Senate to make "fundamental change. And if I can't, then I've served my time," he told the Auburn Citizen. "I've run 17 times for office, 13 for the Senate. I've served as well as I can possibly serve."
The two other departing senators, Kathleen Marchione (R-Halfmoon) and John Bonacic (R-Middletown), are also from Upstate.
The three seats have long been safe for Republicans, but enrollment for Democrats in the districts is either close behind or slightly higher. Republicans have a tenuous one-seat majority in the Senate, and Democrats were already targeting several Downstate seats that have gone back and forth over the years.