Senator Joseph Bruno’s bombshell retirement announcement has rocked Albany, and its aftershocks could continue to resonate in Queens through the November 2008 elections.
Bruno, who has been a stalwart in the Senate for 32 years and has served as Majority Leader since 1995, told his Republican colleagues the surprising news on Monday, June 23.
“I have decided that it is time to move on with my life and to give my constituents an opportunity for new representation and my colleagues in the Senate who have supported me, an opportunity for new leadership,” Bruno said.
Bruno, 79, decided to make the announcement before the end of the legislative session, and although pundits predict that Republicans would likely hold onto his Senate seat in the Republican-dominated upstate district, holding onto the majority might be a steeper challenge.
“The bottom line is it ain’t good news for the Republicans,” said Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College. “Cynics are saying he got ahead of the investigation or indictment, or he saw the handwriting on the wall that he’s 79, and he didn’t want to be minority leader.”
On Tuesday, Bruno denied that his decision not to seek reelection had anything to do with a possible federal probe into his business.
Republicans tapped Dean Skelos of Long Island, who had served as Deputy Majority Leader under Bruno, to succeed him.
“He’s been second-in-charge for many years and knows the ropes,” said Queens Republican Party Chair Phil Ragusa. “Dean is a Nassau County person - right next door. He knows the concerns of people in Queens County, as well as Nassau and all of Long Island.”
After the legislative session wraps up in Albany, the focus will quickly shift to the 2008 election Senate landscape. Currently, Republicans hold a slim 32-30 majority in the State Senate, but some Democrats are predicting Bruno’s announcement is only the tip of the iceberg.
“I think this is recognition of the fact for the Republicans that the game is up; it’s over,” said Doug Forand, Chief Political Strategist for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. “The majority that they have held through gerrymandering and member items is coming to a close.”
Two seats that Democrats are targeting heavily in November are those currently occupied by Queens Republicans Serphin Maltese and Frank Padavan.
Maltese and Padavan, who have represented Queens in the Senate for 20 and 36 years respectively, will likely face challenges from current City Councilmembers Joseph Addabbo and James Gennaro in November.
Maltese and the Queens Republicans are coming off a victory in the 30th City Council Special Election where Maltese protege Anthony Como defeated Elizabeth Crowley.
Party leaders believe Como’s victory was a good omen to Maltese’s upcoming election against Addabbo, or his 2006 opponent Albert Baldeo who is also running again, and Maltese does not believe Bruno’s departure will have a negative effect on his campaign.
“I’m disappointed because he is a close friend but appreciate him effecting this seamless transition,” Maltese said. “Everyone concerned is assuring me the continued unwavering support and especially the financial support [for the upcoming campaign].”
Meanwhile, Addabbo vowed to continue focusing on his own campaign, but said Bruno’s major announcement is bound to have a ripple effect on his opponent’s campaign.
“If my mentor and my leader who was supporting me left, I know it would be devastating for me and a direct negative impact on my campaign,” Addabbo said.
On the other side of the borough, Padavan, who currently serves as the Vice President of the Senate, expects there to be a smooth transition from Bruno to Skelos, he fully expects to retain his Senate seat in Northeast Queens.
If Democrats do become the majority power in the Senate - something they have not held since 1965 - current Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith would likely become Majority Leader.
“With Senator Bruno stepping down, it’s beyond inevitable,” Forand said. “We know it’s coming, and I think the Republican incumbents know it’s coming.”
Muzzio believes there are many possible ramifications from one party controlling all three legislative bodies.
“You don’t have institutional deadlock, but at the same time, Democrats have to deliver,” Muzzio said.
