Federal Dem group will spend to preserve slim state majority

WASHINGTON — Democrats’ razor-thin majority in the New York state Senate is gaining notice from a national group trying to protect Democratic congressional seats.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said Tuesday it would spend $20 million in a handful of states, including New York, where state legislatures — and their drawing of congressional maps — are at risk of turning over to Republican control.

The state Senate in New York has 31 Democrats, 30 Republicans and one vacancy, though that will be filled today after Tuesday’s special election.

“Wherever there’s a chamber that’s this close, we’re concerned,” Michael Sargent, executive director of the DLCC, said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

In the past, the DLCC has contributed to political committees and conducted research but rarely becomes directly involved in specific races, Mr. Sargent said.

Although the group believes the national political atmosphere that is hurting Democrats will not translate directly to state races, Mr. Sargent said, national issues such as job creation, health care and education should dominate candidates’ messages, he said.

Asked how the governor’s race in New York may play into state legislative races, Mr. Sargent said, “I think Democrats are going to have a very strong gubernatorial campaign, eventually.”