2012 New York state elections

Following the 2010 census, the Senate was redistricted effective in January 2013. The newly redistricted Senate was expanded from 62 to 63 seats.

On June 24, 2011, same-sex marriage became legal in New York upon the enactment of the Marriage Equality Act.[10] The passage of the Marriage Equality Act had an impact upon the 2012 State Senate elections, as three Republican senators who voted for the bill faced primary challenges[11][12] and the Conservative Party of New York withdrew support for any candidate who had voted for the bill.[13] (In New York, which allows fusion voting, Republican candidates are often endorsed by the Conservative Party.[14]) Republican Senators Roy McDonald, James Alesi, Mark Grisanti, and Stephen Saland each voted in favor of the Marriage Equality Act.[11] Carl Paladino, the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nominee, announced he would financially back primary candidates against Grisanti and Saland.[15] Sen. Alesi opted to retire instead of facing a potential primary challenge;[16] Sen. McDonald lost a Republican primary to Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione;[17] and Sen. Saland won his Republican primary, but lost the general election to Democrat Terry Gipson by a margin of approximately 2,000 votes[18] after his primary challenger, Neil Di Carlo, remained on the ballot on the Conservative line and acted as a spoiler.[19]

Of the four Republican state senators who voted for the Marriage Equality Act in 2011, only Sen. Grisanti was re-elected in 2012.[20][21] The Conservative Party endorsed former county legislator Charles Swanick (a registered Democrat),[22] while Carl Paladino and local Tea Party activists endorsed Republican Kevin Stocker in a primary contest against Grisanti. The Democrats nominated Hamburg Attorney Michael Amodeo, who faced a primary challenge from Swanick as well as former Senator Al Coppola. Additionally, Kenmore Mayor Patrick Mang was endorsed by the Working Families Party.[23] Amodeo and Grisanti won their respective primaries, setting up a three-way contest between Amodeo, Grisanti, and Swanick in November. Grisanti prevailed.[24]

Democrats also gained seats in Senate Districts 17 (where Democrat Simcha Felder defeated Republican incumbent David Storobin) and 55 (where Ted O'Brien defeated Sean Hanna).[25][26][27]

In Senate District 46—a new district that was created through the redistricting process following the 2010 census—the Republican candidate who was sworn in as the victor was later found, following a recount, to have lost the election. Republican George Amedore was sworn in to the State Senate following the election, but a recount revealed that Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk had defeated Amedore by 18 votes; therefore, Amedore vacated the seat, becoming the shortest-tenured senator in modern New York history.[28][29][27]

While 33 Democrats prevailed on Election Day, the Democratic Party did not regain control of the Senate. On December 4, 2012, Senate Republicans announced a power-sharing deal with the five-member Independent Democratic Conference, which had defected from the Senate Democratic leadership in 2011. Under that agreement, Republican Leader Dean Skelos and IDC Leader Jeff Klein would alternate every two weeks as Temporary President of the Senate.[30] The agreement allowed the Republicans and the IDC to jointly control the Senate in spite of the Democrats' 33-30 numerical advantage. In addition, Democratic Senator-elect Simcha Felder stated that he would caucus with the Republicans.[31]

• 4th District: Fifteen-term incumbent Republican Owen H. Johnson, 83, did not seek re-election.[32] Assemblyman Philip Boyle was endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence Parties. Boyle defeated Democrat Ricardo Montano.[25]
• 29th District: Seven-term incumbent Democrat Thomas Duane did not seek re-election in this predominantly LGBT district; Brad Hoylman sought the seat[33] and was elected without opposition.[25]
• 37th District: 14-term Democratic Senator Suzi Oppenheimer did not seek re-election.[34] Democratic Assemblyman George S. Latimer defeated Republican Bob Cohen in November.[25]
• 46th District: This newly created district stretches from Montgomery County south to Ulster County. Assemblyman George Amedore ran on the Republican line against Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk. On January 17, 2013, the final recount was certified, and Tkaczyk was declared the winner by 18 votes.[27][25]
• 55th District: Incumbent Republican Senator James Alesi announced that he would not seek re-election, citing concerns about his ability to prevail against a potential primary challenger following his controversial 2011 vote in favor of same-sex marriage.[35][36] Monroe County Legislator Ted O'Brien ran as a Democrat, and Assemblyman Sean Hanna received the Republican nomination.[37] O'Brien defeated Hanna.[38][25]

On March 20, 2012, special elections were held to fill vacant seats in New York State Assembly districts 93, 100, 103, and 145. In November 2012, elections were held for all 150 Assembly seats.

• 93rd District: This seat became vacant after Mike Spano was elected as the mayor of Yonkers. Democratic Party nominee Shelley B. Mayer defeated Republican Party nominee Donna Nolan.[39]
• 100th District: This seat became vacant after Thomas Kirwan died in November 2011. Democratic Party nominee Frank Skartados defeated Republican Party member John Forman.[39]
• 103rd District: This seat became vacant after Assemblymember Marcus Molinaro was elected Dutchess County Executive. Democratic Party nominee Didi Barrett narrowly prevailed over Republican candidate Richard Wager.[39]
• 145th District: This seat became vacant after Mark J. F. Schroeder was elected Comptroller of the City of Buffalo. Democrat Michael P. Kearns, running on the Republican Party line, defeated Democratic Party nominee Chris Fahey.[39]

• 7th District: Incumbent Republican Philip Boyle declined renomination to his South Shore Suffolk seat in order to accept the nomination to replace State Senator Owen Johnson. Republican attorney Andrew Garbarino defeated Democrat Christopher Bodkin.[40]
• 10th District: Due to health reasons, Incumbent Republican James Conte declined renomination to his Huntington-based seat. Attorney and former Suffolk County Deputy County Executive Joe Dujmic, the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate, faced adjunct professor and South Huntington School Board member Chad Lupinacci. Lupinacci prevailed.[40]
• 22nd District: This newly drawn district is based in the central western portion of Nassau County and encompasses South Floral Park, Elmont and Valley Stream. The Republican Party designated Sean Wright, an Assistant Town Attorney and Village Attorney, as their candidate. The Democrats nominated Michaelle "Mickey" Solages, the sister of freshman County Legislator Carrie Solages. Solages prevailed.[40]
• 25th District: Queens Community Board 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece announced he would seek the Democratic nomination for the seat vacated by Rory Lancman. While endorsed by the party, Iannece faced a primary challenge Nily Rozic, former chief of staff to assemblyman Brian Kavanagh. The winner of this primary, Rozic, defeated retired Republican postal worker Abraham Fuchs in the general election.[41][40]
• 40th District: Assemblywoman Grace Meng sought the Democratic nomination in the vacant 6th Congressional District. The Queens Democratic Party endorsed Ron Kim, but he faced a primary from newspaper owner Myungsuk Lee as well as Ethel Chen. The Republicans endorsed Phil Gim, who faced a primary challenge from community activist Sunny Hahn. Each primary set at least one candidate of Korean descent against one candidate of Chinese descent.[42] Kim and Gim won their respective primaries, and Kim won the general election.[40]
• 62nd District: Assemblyman Lou Tobacco announced that he would not be seeking reelection. The Republican party endorsed City Councilman Vincent Ignizio's chief of staff Joseph Borelli. Borelli defeated Democrat Anthony Mascolo.[40]
• 91st District: This seat was vacated by George S. Latimer, who ran for State Senate instead. Longtime State Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer's chief of staff, Democrat Steve Otis, defeated Republican Rye Councilman William Villanova.[40]
• 99th District: Republican incumbent Nancy Calhoun was redistricted from the 96th Assembly District into the 99th Assembly District and decided to retire. Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey and Colin Schmitt, a former staff intern for Asm. Annie Rabbitt, announced that they would seek the Republican nomination. Roddey, who received the endorsement of the Orange County Republican Committee, the Independence Party, and the Conservative Party, won the primary. The Democratic Party endorsed Woodbury Councilman James Skoufis for the seat.[43] Skoufis defeated Roddey in the general election.[40]
• 105th District: Republican incumbent Joel Miller announced that he would not seek re-election in this newly reconfigured Dutchess County district. Former Assemblyman Pat Manning, former 2008 Congressional candidate Kieran Lalor, and Rich Wager sought the Republican nomination.[44] Lalor received the Republican nomination and defeated Democrat Paul Curran.[40]
• 109th District: The 104th Assembly District was reshaped into the 109th Assembly District. Democratic Jack McEneny, who represented District 104, announced he would not seek re-election. Six candidates ran for the Democratic nomination for this seat, including Chris Higgins, Pat Fahy, Jim Coyne, William McCarthy, Jr., Frank Commisso, Jr., and Margarita Perez.[45] 2010 congressional candidate Ted Danz ran as a Republican. Fahy won the Democratic primary and defeated Danz in the general election.[40]
• 110th District: Assembly District 109 was reshaped into the current District 110. Democratic Asm. Robert Reilly announced he would not seek re-election.[46] Kevin Frazier (a staff member for Asm. Ronald Canestrari), Albany County Legislator Timothy Nichols, and Phillip G. Steck sought the Democratic nomination. Reilly's 2010 Republican opponent, Jennifer Whalen, ran again. Steck won the Democratic primary and defeated Whalen in the general election.[40]
• 113th District: Republican Teresa Sayward announced she would not seek re-election.[47] Queensbury town supervisor Dan Stec and former Congressional candidate Doug Hoffman sought the Republican nomination; Stec prevailed and defeated Democrat Dennis Tarantino in November.[40]
• 133rd District: Republican Sean Hanna chose to run for New York State Senate instead of seeking re-election. Bill Nojay, a talk radio host on WYSL and WLEA, facted Richard Burke, the former mayor of Avon, in the Republican primary. Steuben County legislator Randy Weaver, whose last run for Assembly (against Philip Palmesano) in 2010 led to him being thrown off the ballot on a technicality, was the lone Democrat in the race.[48] Nojay won the Republican primary, but Burke has the Conservative Party line.[49] Nojay won the general election.[40]
• 147th District: Republican Daniel Burling announced he would not seek re-election.[50] Tea Party activist and frequent state senate candidate David DiPietro sought the seat as a Republican and obtained the Conservative Party endorsement. Dan Humiston and Christina Abt faced each other in a relatively rare Independence Party primary, with Abt securing the Working Families line and the Democratic line as well. Humiston, DiPietro, David Mariacher, and Christopher Lane sought the Republican nomination.[51] DiPietro prevailed in the November election.[52]

• 4th District: Incumbent Steven Englebright faces a rematch from his 2010 opponent Deborah McKee, who provided him with his closest margin in over a decade with 45%.
• 6th District: Incumbent Phil Ramos faces a challenge from businessman and Brentwood firefighter Manuel Troche.
• 9th District: Incumbent Joseph Saladino has seen his district be redrawn from a southeastern Nassau County District to a district that encompasses the most southeastern portion of Nassau County along with the western portion of the Town of Islip and southeastern portion of the Town of Babylon, both in Suffolk County. He faces a potential primary challenge from attorney and former police officer Rich Young, a tea party activist.
• 16th District: Incumbent Democrat Michelle Schimel faces a potential challenge from her estranged husband, Republican Mark Schimel.[53]
• 20th District: Incumbent Democrat Harvey Weisenberg faces a challenge from former Lawrence School Board President Dr. David Sussman. Weisenberg staved off a close challenge in 2010.[54]
• 36th District: Incumbent freshman Democrat Aravella Simotas faces a challenge from Astoria resident Julia Haich.
• 45th District: Incumbent Democrat Steven Cymbrowitz faces a primary challenge from Ben Akselrod, the winner will face Brooklyn Young Republican President Russell Gallo. The new 45th District includes Russian and Jewish communities that overlap with recent Republican victories for Congressman Bob Turner and State Senator David Storobin.[55]
• 60th District: Founder of antipoverty group East New York United Concerned Citizens Chris Banks announced he will seek the Democratic party nomination from incumbent Inez Barron in a primary election.[56]
• 63rd District: Democratic incumbent Michael Cusick will be challenged by president of Community Education Council and Republican Sam Pirozzolo.
• 64th District: Republican incumbent Nicole Malliotakis will be challenged by Democratic Party opponent John Mancuso.[57]
• 65th District: Democratic incumbent and Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver may be challenged by a New York City tea party activist Wave Fay Chan on the Republican line [58]
• 76th District: Democratic incumbent Micah Kellner faces a challenge in his upper east side district from Army Veteran and Reform and Independence Party activist Mike Zumbluskas who will also be running as a Republican.
• 95th District: Democratic incumbent Sandra Galef faces a challenge from Republican Kim Izzarelli, of Briarcliff Manor.[59]
• 99th District: Republican Nancy Calhoun has been redistricted from the 96th into the 99th AD. Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey, Blooming Grove Supervisor Frank Fornario, and a former staff intern for Annie Rabbitt, Colin Schmitt, have announced that they will challenge Calhoun in a primary for the Republican Party nomination. The Democratic Party has endorsed Woodbury Councilman James Skoufis for the seat.[43]
• 101st District: Republican incumbent Claudia Tenney has been redistricted from the 115th into the newly formed 101st district. She will face a primary election challenge from fellow Republican Walden Mayor Brian Maher.
• 104th District: Democratic incumbent Frank Skartados who regained his seat in a March 2012 special election after losing it back to his predecessor Tom Kirwan in 2010 is seeking re-election. He will be challenged by former Newburgh City Councilwoman Christine Bello.[60]
• 106th District: Democratic incumbent Didi Barrett, who was elected in a close special election in the former 103rd District in March, faces a challenge in this newly drawn district from former Milan Councilman and Army Veteran David Byrne.[61]
• 115th District: Republican incumbent Janet Duprey defeated primary challenges from educator Karen Bisso and businessman David Kimmel. Plattsburgh Councilman Tim Carpenter will be seeking the Democratic nomination; Bisso, who has the backing of Doug Hoffman and Carl Paladino, will run on the Conservative Party line.[62]
• 121st District: Incumbent Democrat William Magee faces a challenge from Republican internet marketer Levi Spires [63]
• 138th District: First term incumbent Democrat Harry Bronson faces a challenge from Army Veteran Peterson Vazquez who will run as a Republican.[64]
• 149th District: Incumbent Democrat Sean Ryan fended off primary challenge from municipal downsizing advocate Kevin Gaughan and Joseph Mascia.[65]