The 2012 New York state elections took place on November 6, 2012. These included elections for a Senate seat and a presidential election.
All 27 members from New York of the U.S. House of Representatives, one U.S. senate seat, and some members of the New York State legislature were up for election, with most incumbents seeking re-election.
New York had 29 electoral votes at stake. As is the case with most states, the electors were winner-takes-all. The candidates that achieved ballot access were as follows, in order of their position on the ballot:
Democratic Party: Barack Obama / Joe Biden
Republican Party: Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan
Conservative Party: Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan
Working Families Party: Barack Obama / Joe Biden
The Independence Party of New York, despite having automatic ballot access, will not field candidates.
Green Party: Jill Stein / Cheri Honkala
Party for Socialism and Liberation: Peta Lindsay / Yari Osorio
Libertarian Party: Gary Johnson / James P. Gray
Constitution Party: Virgil Goode / Jim Clymer
President Obama won New York by a 62.6%-36% margin over Gov. Mitt Romney.
Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to the seat by Governor David Paterson in 2009, and was officially elected in a special election on November 2, 2010. Senator Gillibrand sought re-election for a full term against Republican attorney Wendy E. Long, who defeated Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and U.S. Representative Bob Turner in a primary election for the Republican Party nomination. Sen. Gillibrand was re-elected by a margin of 71.9%-26.7% over Long.
After a loss of two seats following the 2010 United States Census, the New York congressional delegation will be reduced from twenty-nine to twenty-seven U.S. Representatives. The two existing districts that were eliminated were District 9, held by Republican Rep. Bob Turner, and District 22, held by retiring Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey. Fifteen-term Democratic representative Gary Ackerman, ten-term Democratic Maurice Hinchey, and freshman Republican Bob Turner announced that they would not seek re-election to United States House of Representatives.
On Election Day, the Democratic Party regained two seats previously held by Republicans, while the Republican Party regained one seat previously held by a Democrat. In the 113th Congress, which is scheduled to meet beginning on January 3, 2013, the New York delegation will initially consist of 21 Democrats and six Republicans.
On June 24, 2011, New York's legislature legalized same-sex marriage with the Marriage Equality Act. The Conservative Party of New York stated it would withdraw support for any candidate who voted in favor of the bill. With New York's electoral fusion, Republican candidates often rely on the endorsement of the Conservative Party. Senators Roy McDonald, James Alesi, Mark Grisanti, and Stephen Saland each voted in favor of the Marriage Equality Act, and were previously endorsed by the Conservative Party. Carl Paladino, the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nominee, also announced he would financially back primary candidates against both Grisanti and Saland, as well as Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, who also supported the Act. Sen. Alesi opted to retire rather than face a likely primary challenge, Sen. McDonald lost a Republican primary to Kathy Marchione, Sen. Saland won his primary, but lost the general election to Democrat Terry Gipson by a margin of approximately 2,000 votes when his primary challenger, Neil Di Carlo, remained on the ballot on the Conservative line and acted as a spoiler. Of the four Republican state senators who voted in favor of the Marriage Equality Act, only one was re-elected to the State Senate in 2012; Sen. Grisanti prevailed in both the primary and the general election. Asm. Duprey won re-election.
Following the 2010 census, New York redistricted the Senate, expanding it from 62 to 63 seats effective in January 2013. When all election night results were tabulated on November 6, 2012, it appeared that Democrats would hold 33 seats for a three-seat majority—just their third Senate majority since World War II. However, two races won by Democrats on the unofficial election night tallies were close enough to require a recount including the absentee and affidavit ballots. In addition, Democratic Senator-elect Simcha Felder stated that he would caucus with the Republicans. Also, on December 4, 2012, the G.O.P. announced a power-sharing deal with the five-member Independent Democratic Conference, which had previously defected from the Democratic leadership. Under the agreement, Senators Skelos and Klein would alternate every two weeks as temporary president of the Senate.
4th District: Fifteen-term incumbent Republican Owen H. Johnson, 83, did not seek re-election. Assemblyamn Philip Boyle has been endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party.
29th District: Seven-term incumbent Democrat Thomas Duane did not seek re-election in this predominantly LGBT district; Brad Hoylman sought the seat.
37th District: 14-term Democratic Senator Suzi Oppenheimer did not seek re-election. Diane Roth and Bob Cohen announced that they would seek the Republican nomination. Diane Roth has dropped out of the race as of August 2012. Assemblyman George S. Latimer sought election as a Democrat.
46th District: This is a newly created district stretching from Montgomery County south to Ulster County. Assemblyman George Amedore ran on the Republican line. Coeymans Town Councilman Thomas Dolan, Duanesburg Central School Board of Education President Cecilia Tkaczyk, and Monica Arias Miranda of the Hispanic Coalition of New York sought the Democratic nomination. Tkaczyk prevailed in the Democratic primary. On January 17, 2013, the final recount was certified, and Tkaczyk was declared the winner by 19 votes.
55th District: Incumbent Republican Senator James Alesi announced that he would not seek re-election, citing concerns about his ability to prevail against a primary challenger following his controversial 2011 vote in favor of same-sex marriage. Monroe County Legislator Ted O'Brien ran as a Democrat, and Assemblyman Sean Hanna received the Republican nomination. O'Brien defeated Hanna.
6th District: Republican incumbent Kemp Hannon defeated challenger Democratic Ryan Cronin.
11th District: Democratic incumbent Tony Avella defeated challenger Republican Joseph Concannon.
15th District: Democratic incumbent Joseph Addabbo defeated challenger Republican New York City Councilman Eric Ulrich.
16th District: Democratic incumbent Toby Stavisky defeated fellow Democrat John Messer in a primary election, defeated challenger Republican J.D. Kim.
17th District: Former Democratic City Councilman Simcha Felder defeated Republican incumbent David Storobin.
21st district: Democratic incumbent Kevin Parker defeated Conservative Party candidate Mindy Meyer.
22nd District: Republican incumbent Martin Golden defeated Democratic Andrew Gounardes.
38th District: Freshman Democratic Senator and IDC member David Carlucci defeated Republican challenger Janis Castaldi.
39th District: 84-year-old Republican Senator Bill Larkin defeated Democratic County Legislator Christopher W. Eachus.
41st District: Republican Senator Stephen Saland defeated fellow Republican Neil Di Carlo in a primary election for the Republican Party but lost in a primary election for the Conservative Party. The general election vote was too close to call on Election Day, and a recount was necessary. Saland conceded the race to Gipson on December 13.
43rd District: Republican Senator Roy J. McDonald received the endorsement of the Independence Party of New York, but lost the endorsement of the Conservative Party for voting in favor of same-sex marriage. Republican Saratoga County Clerk and former Halfmoon Town Supervisor Kathleen Marchione defeated McDonald in the primary election, and went on to prevail in the general election.
44th District: Incumbent Democrat Neil Breslin defeated primary challenger from Albany County Legislative Chairman Shawn Morse. Breslin defeated Green Party Peter A. LaVenia, Jr. in the general election.
48th District: Freshman Republican Senator Patty Ritchie defeated Democrat Amy Tressider.
60th District: Freshman Republican Senator Mark Grisanti, who was also endorsed by the Independence Party, lost the endorsement of the Conservative Party of New York State due to his vote for same-sex marriage. The Conservative Party endorsed former county legislator Charles Swanick, a registered Democrat. Carl Paladino and local Tea Party activists endorsed Republican Kevin Stocker in a primary contest against Grisanti, and 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. New York Times columnist Bill Keller has stated that Sen. Grisanti "should be the most endangered Republican in the Senate" due to his marriage vote. Amodeo and Grisanti won their respective primaries, setting up a three-way contest for the seat between them and Swanick in November. Grisanti prevailed.
62nd District: Incumbent Republican George Maziarz defeated a challenge from Johnny Destino in a Republican Party primary election. Maziarz defeated Democratic Party nomineee Amy Hope Witryol and Green Partynomineee Jonathon B. Benedict.
63rd District: Incumbent Democrat Tim Kennedy defeated former Buffalo Common Council member Betty Jean Grant in primary election, and was uncontested in the general election.
The New York State Assembly has 150 representatives. All of the assembly members' seats were up for election. A special election was held to fill vacant seats in the 93rd, 103rd, 145th districts.
93rd District: The 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.
100th District: The seat became vacant after Thomas Kirwan died in November 2011. Democratic Party nominee Frank Skartados defeated Republican Party member John Forman.
103rd District: The seat became vacant after Marcus Molinaro was elected as the executive of Dutchess County. Democratic Party nominee Didi Barrett narrowly prevailed over Republican candidate Richard Wager.
145th District: The seat became vacant after Mark J. F. Schroeder was elected as the comptroller of Buffalo. Democratic Party member Michael P. Kearns that was running on the Republican Party line defeated Democratic Party nominee.
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. Attorney Andrew Garbarino has been selected by the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties to assume Boyle's nomination. Against him, the Democrats have chosen former Islip Town Councilman Christopher Bodkin.
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, will be seeking the open seat. His opponent is adjunct professor and South Huntington School Board member Chad Lupinacci.
22nd District: This is a newly drawn district based in the central western portion of Nassau County and encompasses South Floral Park, Elmont and Valley Stream. The Republican Party has designated Sean Wright, an Assistant Town Attorney and Village Attorney as their candidate. The Democrats have nominated Michaelle "Mickey" Solages the sister of freshman County Legislator Carrie Solages.
25th District: 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 faced the Republican candidate in the general election, retired postal worker Abraham Fuchs.
40th District: Current Assemblywoman Grace Meng is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for the vacant 6th Congressional District, if she is not successful she could seek re-election. Currently the Queens Democratic Party has endorsed Ron Kim, but he faces a primary from newspaper owner Myungsuk Lee as well as Ethel Chen. The Republicans have endorsed Phil Gim, but he faces a primary challenge from community activist Sunny Hahn. Each primary sets at least one candidate of Korean descent against one candidate of Chinese descent, which depending on the results of each primary could lead to a similar face off in the general election.
62nd District: Current Assemblyman Lou Tobacco announced that he will not be seeking reelection. The Republican party is endorsing City Councilman Vincent Ignizio's chief of staff Joseph Borelli.
91st District: The assembly seat was vacated by George S. Latimer due to his State Senate campaign. Suzi Oppenheimer's chief of staff Steve Otis will seek the democratic nomination. Rye Councilman William Villanova will run as a Republican.
99th District: Republican Nancy Calhoun has been redistricted from the 96th into the 99th AD; she has decided to retire. Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey, and a former staff intern for Annie Rabbitt, Colin Schmitt, have announced that they will seek the Republican Party nomination, Roddey has received the endorsement of the Orange County Republican Committee, as well as the Independence and Conservative Parties. The Democratic Party has endorsed Woodbury Councilman James Skoufis for the seat.
105th District: Republican Joel Miller announced he would not seek re-election, this is a newly reconfigured district based in eastern Dutchess County. Former Assemblyman Pat Manning, former 2008 Congressional candidate Kieran Lalor and recent assembly candidate in the 103rd Assembly special election Rich Wager will seek the Republican nomination.
109th District: Democratic Jack McEneny announced he would not seek re-election. Albany County Legislator Bryan Clenahan announced that he would seek the vacant seat, although he later announced that he was withdrawing from the race. 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. The district was the 104th, and has been reshaped into the current 109th district. 2010 21st Congressional District Candidate Ted Danz is running as a Republican.
110th District: Democratic Robert Reilly announced he would not seek re-election. Kevin Frazier, staff member for Ronald Canestrari, Albany County Legislator Timothy Nichols, Phillip G. Steck will seek the democratic nomination in a primary election to replace Reilly's vacant seat. The district was the 109th, and has been reshaped into the current 110th district. Reilly's 2010 Republican opponent Jennifer Whalen is running again, Whalen lost by 542 votes.
113th District: Republican Teresa Sayward announced she would not seek re-election. Queensbury town supervisor Joe Stec and former Congressional candidate Doug Hoffman will seek the Republican nomination.
130th District: Republican Sean Hanna will not seek re-election and will instead run for New York State Senate. Bill Nojay, a talk radio host on WYSL and WLEA, will face Richard Burke, the former mayor of Avon, in the Republican primary, while 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, is the lone Democrat in the race. Nojay won the Republican primary, but Burke has the Conservative Party line, possibly setting up a three-way race for the seat.
147th District: Republican Daniel Burling announced he would not seek re-election. 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. DiPietro prevailed in the November election.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
121st District: Incumbent Democrat William Magee faces a challenge from Republican internet marketer Levi Spires
138th District: First term incumbent Democrat Harry Bronson faces a challenge from Army Veteran Peterson Vazquez who will run as a Republican.
149th District: Incumbent Democrat Sean Ryan fended off primary challenge from municipal downsizing advocate Kevin Gaughan and Joseph Mascia.
