July 2, 2007 -- ALBANY - Gov. Spitzer's mission to topple the Senate Republican majority next year is expected to largely be fought on the streets of Queens and Long Island.
Democrats are three seats from having a majority of the Senate for the first time since 1965.
Spitzer has begun raising money and providing other assistance toward achieving that effort, which would severely hinder his chief political nemesis, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.
Knowing that he can count on Spitzer's help, that Senate Democrats will likely have more money than ever before, and that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton might top the ticket as a presidential candidate, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) has said he expects to target up to six seats held by Republicans and a number of others that may open because of retirements.
Smith was in Washington, D.C., last week, meeting with top Democratic leaders to try to raise money.
"Between possible retirements and combat caused by increased Democratic performance, the real shots they have are on Long Island and Queens," said Democrat political consultant Hank Sheinkopf.
In Queens, according to elected officials, consultants and other insiders, Democrats are eyeing the seats of two veteran GOP lawmakers - Serphin Maltese and Frank Padavan.
Maltese is seen as vulnerable after a razor-thin win last year over a Democrat who had little party support. Padavan's seat is considered tougher.
But Long Island is where Democrats have the highest hopes after seeing the party make gains in recent years at every other level of government there.
The biggest Republican targets are said to be Sens. Carl Marcellino (Oyster Bay) and Kemp Hannon (Garden City).
One surprising name Democrats are floating for Marcellino's seat is Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who ran an unsuccessful primary last year against Spitzer.
Democrats are also closely watching the retirement plans of a number of older Long Island senators, including Owen Johnson (R-Babylon) and Caesar Trunzo (R-Hauppauge).
Republicans insist they will not only protect their incumbents but target as many as six Democratic seats with either Republican challengers or Democratic primary opponents who oppose Smith.
"They should be concerned that there could be bull's-eyes on their own backs," Senate majority spokesman John McArdle said.
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