The line in the sand for state Senate supremacy this year runs right through Queens County.
The highly anticipated political showdown between veteran Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) and City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) is already gearing up.
Maltese is gunning for his 11th consecutive term and Addabbo is term-limited out of his Council seat. The political stakes couldn't be higher.
With Senate Republicans clinging to a razor-thin two-seat majority, pundits said the Maltese-Addabbo race could be the linchpin that determines who calls the shots in the upper house.
"This is an historic race," said Evan Stavisky, a Democratic political consultant. He noted that if Democrats snatch the Senate from Republicans, redistricting in 2012 could cement Democratic control in Albany.
"Any credible expert will acknowledge that once the Senate goes Democratic, it's not going back," Stavisky added.
Republicans are already outnumbered in Maltese's district by more than two to one.
And Maltese has had a bull's-eye on his back since the 2006 campaign, in which he was nearly upset by political newcomer Albert Baldeo, who pulled in 49% of the vote without significant party backing.
"That's got to be one of three or four really heavily targeted districts in the state — probably the most targeted because of the perception that Maltese can be taken out," said Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College.
Addabbo, who reported more than $70,000 in fund-raising by the state Board of Election's Jan. 15 filing deadline, said Democratic bosses have promised to give him "all-out resources" in his battle against Maltese. He said an influx of cash and campaign staffers from all over the state will arrive in his camp soon.
However, Addabbo faces a primary against Baldeo, who boasts $400,000 in campaign funds.
"I look forward to them fighting it out," said Maltese, who already has $240,000 in hand. He said the Republicans are not to be outdone in this race.
"[Majority Leader] Joseph Bruno in the Senate has pledged to me that if necessary he views it as a possible million-dollar race," he said.
Each candidate vowed not to run negative campaigns, but both slung a little mud in interviews with Queens News.
Addabbo slammed Maltese for flooding the district since shortly after the 2006 campaign with office newsletters that he says are really thinly veiled campaign ads.
Maltese blasted Addabbo for taking three donations, totaling nearly $30,000, from billionaire George Soros and his family.
"My donations are in the main from individuals, in the main from people residing in the district," Maltese said.
With Paul H.B. Shin
