(Robert Lowrey)
Republican state Sen. John DeFrancisco of Syracuse gets to keep his seat in the New York state senate for another two years.
As of 11:20 p.m. and with all of District’s votes accounted for, DeFrancisco unofficially defeated Democrat challenger Kathleen Joy with 65 percent — or 56,253 — of the votes, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Joy, a Syracuse Common Councilor, had 35 percent or 30,596 votes.
The 50th Senate District includes most of Onondaga County and the western portion of Syracuse.
Republicans were fighting to regain control of the state senate. Before election day, Democrats had 32 out of 62 seats compared to the Republican party’s 29 seats. There was one seat left unfilled from the 38th Senate District.
Voter registration for the 50th Senate District gave hints of DeFrancisco’s victory. The Republicans lead in voter enrollment for the district with 65,952 voters. The Democrats were close behind with 65,445 voters in the district.
At the polls on Tuesday, some voters expressed an anti-incumbent mood — but many also had praise for DeFrancisco.
At Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Carolyn Terrill said his longevity and record in the state Senate was important. “I believe that all the incumbents need to get out. They can’t even handle the state budget,” said Terrill, 68, a retired registered nurse for Community General Hospital. “But I voted for DeFrancisco. I like what he has done. He has done a good job.”
At Huntington School, some voters showed another reason for DeFrancisco’s win. Many were unfamiliar with his challenger, Democrat Kathleen Joy.
“I don’t know much about her at all,” said Julie Hawkins, 48, in an interview with Democracywise reporter Mojgan Sherkat. “I was surprised when I got to the polls. I really hadn’t heard anything about her.”
At the GOP celebration Tuesday night, the ballroom was packed with GOP supporters Tuesday night. On eight tables, center pieces of mirrors reflected the smiles as winners celebrated.
DeFrancisco won a roar of applause for his re-election. And as he thanked his supporters, he held out hope for regaining the majority in the state senate.
“The crucial issue is whether we can take back the senate in Republican hands,” said DeFrancisco. “The pendulum keeps swinging back and forth. Two years ago, the pendulum swung back in the wrong direction as far back as it could. But fortunately, it’s coming back in the right direction.”
(Robert Lowrey is a graduate student in broadcast and digital journalism.)
-30-
