New York Republicans fight to pick up seats in Democratic-run Senate

Republicans are looking to make inroads in New York’s Democratic-dominated state Senate, which includes running strong Asian-American candidates in NYC districts.It won’t be easy in a presidential year, given the huge Democratic enrollment advantage and an expected heavier turnout than in off-presidential election years.Still, the Republicans have made inroads recently in the state Assembly in southern Brooklyn and even picked up a City Council seat in The Bronx for the first time in 40 years as voters protest the Democratic Party’s leftward tilt and controversy over high-rise development.The state Senate, where Democrats currently occupy 42 of 63 seats, has been a tougher nut for the GOP to crack in recent years. Among the races to watch:Retired NYPD sergeant and US marine Steven Chan is challenging first-term Democratic incumbent Iwen Chu, who won her seat in a close race two years ago in a newly formed heavily Asian district.“Our candidate Steve Chan is in a tight race with the freshman Democrat Senator Iwen Chu.Seventy six percent of respondents either have not heard of Iwen Chu or have not formed an opinion,” Senate Republican Campaign Committee chairman Joseph Borello said.Yiatin Chu, the Republican-Conservative nominee, is the founder of the Asian-Wave Alliance that champions merit-based education, including preserving entrance standards at specialized high schools as well as school choice.

She is challenging 85-year-old Sen.Toby Stavisky, a 24-year Democratic incumbent who chairs the higher education committee.Stavisky, whose husband previously served in the Senate, is heavily favored.

A source close to the Senate Democrats say Stavisky’s seat is safe but the harsh attacks they’ve leveled against Chu indicate they’re taking her seriously in a district that has become increasingly Asian.First-term Democratic Sen.Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, faces off against Republican Marko Kepi, a US marine and a native of Albania.The island’s Nor...