All sixty-two state senate seats are contested every two years, giving Democrats two more opportunities to snag victories in the chamber. They only need one seat to do so, as well: Lieutenant Governor David Patterson, a Democrat, would cast any tie-breaking votes.

National organizations favoring both parties, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and the Republican State Leadership Committee, consider the Empire State Senate a top priority, and competitive races there typically cost millions of dollars. And Senate President Joseph Bruno told the New York Post that he’s not giving up without a fight.

Before redistricting comes, huge amounts of resources will be devoted to keeping or capturing one seat in what has become one of the most crucial battlegrounds in the country.

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