New York Democrats to Seek Senate Supermajority in 2026
State Democrats aim to reclaim a two-thirds majority in November 2026 to gain the power to override gubernatorial vetoes.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Political Parties
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Democrats currently hold 41 of 63 seats in the New York state Senate and are campaigning to win a two-thirds supermajority in the November 2026 elections. This threshold would allow the party to override gubernatorial vetoes without any Republican support.
Why it matters
A supermajority would grant Democrats the flexibility to pass legislation even if some members dissent, while also providing a legislative check against the governor. Party leaders believe current federal policies offer a unique opportunity to capture seats from vulnerable Republican incumbents.
Democrats currently control 41 of 63 state Senate seats, falling short of the two-thirds supermajority they last held in 2020. Recent polls indicate Gov. Kathy Hochul leads her opponents by margins ranging from 9 to 19 points.
The players
Chris Ryan
He is an incumbent Democratic state Senator currently serving in a district targeted by Republicans.
Kathy Hochul
She is the Governor of New York currently leading in various state polls.
George Borrello
He is a state Senator from Chautauqua County who anticipates that gubernatorial race trends will impact down-ballot results.
Bruce Blakeman
He is a candidate for governor focusing on increasing Republican turnout in competitive districts.
Stephen T. Chan
He is a Republican who defeated incumbent Democrat Iwen Chu in 2024, effectively ending the Democrats' previous supermajority.
The details
Democratic leaders strategically reserve floor votes for bills that can pass without GOP support, but they seek to break the reliance on unanimous party consensus. Republicans are actively defending their seats, notably targeting Sen. Chris Ryan, who won his 2024 election by only a one-percentage-point margin.
Timeline
Democrats took control of both legislative chambers in 2019.
A two-thirds supermajority was held by Democrats in 2020.
Stephen T. Chan ousted incumbent Iwen Chu in 2024.
The governor's race was polled by Siena Research Institute in late September 2026.
New York state elections are scheduled for November 2026.
Political Context
The drive for a supermajority marks a strategic effort to reclaim the ability to override New York's gubernatorial veto process, which has not been utilized in over a decade. Republicans argue that such unchecked legislative power would bypass necessary bipartisan oversight in the state capital.
The composition of the state Senate directly impacts which bills become law and how the state handles legislative overrides of the governor. Voters in competitive districts will likely see increased campaign spending and outreach as both parties vie for control of these pivotal seats.
The takeaway
Gaining a supermajority would fundamentally alter the balance of power in Albany by removing the need for Republican consensus on veto overrides. The outcome of this legislative contest remains highly dependent on the broader performance of candidates at the top of the ticket.
Further reading
For more on the electoral landscape in the state, visit Political Parties.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Union.
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