63-672: Manfred Ohrenstein (August 5, 1925 – November 18, 2024) was an American lawyer and politician. Counsel to the New York law firm of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, he was also a member of the New York State Senate . A Democrat, he represented Manhattan from 1961 until 1994. From 1975 until 1994, he served as the New York State Senate minority leader. The son of a furniture merchant, Manfred Ohrenstein
126-670: A decisive majority. In total, enrolled Democrats won 40 of the chamber's 63 seats, including all but one seat in New York City and six of the nine seats on Long Island, the latter of which has been under GOP control for decades. Felder offered to rejoin the Democratic Conference, but was turned down in December 2018. Senate Republicans won 23 seats in the 2018 elections. Stewart-Cousins was formally elected Majority Leader and Temporary President on January 9, becoming
189-569: A national laughingstock as the feuding factions shouted and gaveled over each other in simultaneous legislative sessions." The "coup" also led to litigation. On July 9, 2009, the "coup" ended. Espada rejoined the Senate Democratic Conference after reaching a deal in which he would be named Senate Majority Leader, Sampson would remain Senate Democratic Leader, and Smith would be Temporary President of
252-579: A post which is normally also held by the Majority Leader. The Senate has one additional officer outside those who are elected by the people. The Secretary of the Senate is a post that is chosen by a majority vote of the senators, and does not have voting power (the Secretary is allowed, though officially discouraged, from discussing and negotiating legislative matters). The Secretary of the Senate
315-463: A prearranged deal, Espada was elected temporary president and acting lieutenant governor while Skelos was elected majority leader. Following the "coup", Senate Democrats voted for John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) to replace Smith as Democratic Leader. On June 14, Monserrate declared that he would once again caucus with the Democrats. This development meant that the Senate was evenly split, 31–31, between
378-460: A scheme to use hundreds of thousands of dollars in state money to assist Democratic State Senate candidates in 1986. Morgenthau alleged that Ohrenstein and his two codefendants, Democratic State Senator Howard E. Babbush of Brooklyn, and Frank Sanzillo, a top aide employed by Ohrenstein, used public money to pay for campaign workers, and that legislative staffers continued to collect their salaries while working full-time on political campaigns. Despite
441-555: A state judge in Manhattan dismissed the remaining counts against Ohrenstein. In 1992, New York State Comptroller Edward V. Regan awarded Ohrenstein $ 1.3 million in legal costs (but disallowed $ 480,000). Ohrenstein decided not to seek re-election in 1994. Since leaving elected office he has engaged in the full-time practice of law at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. Ohrenstein is part of the firm's municipal and government affairs department. In 1994 Senate Minority Leader Manfred Ohrenstein
504-563: A total of 33 seats for a three-seat majority. Democrats gained seats in Senate Districts 17 (where Democrat Simcha Felder defeated Republican incumbent David Storobin), 41, and 55 (where Ted O'Brien defeated Sean Hanna to win the seat vacated by the retiring Republican Sen. Jim Alesi), and won the election in the newly created Senate District 46 (discussed below). The election in Senate District 46—a new district that
567-434: Is responsible for administering the Senate's office space, overseeing the handling of bills and the oversight of the sergeants-at-arms and the stenographer. Alejandra Paulino was appointed to the position in December 2018. * First elected in a special election. New York state election, 1965 Pre- consolidation : Post- consolidation : Pre- consolidation : Post- consolidation : The 1965 New York state election
630-649: Is the upper house of the New York State Legislature , while the New York State Assembly is its lower house . Established in 1777 by the Constitution of New York , its members are elected to two-year terms with no term limits. There are 63 seats in the Senate. The Democratic Party has held control of the New York State Senate since 2019. The Senate Majority Leader is Andrea Stewart-Cousins . The New York State Senate
693-599: The 2018 elections , Democrats gained eight Senate seats, taking control of the chamber from the Republicans. In the 2020 elections , Democrats won a total of 43 seats, while Republicans won 20; the election results gave Senate Democrats a veto-proof two-thirds supermajority. As of October 2024, the Democratic Party holds 41 seats in the Senate. The Republicans hold 21 seats, and one seat is vacant. Democrats won 32 of 62 seats in New York's upper chamber in
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#1732790242285756-445: The 2008 general election on November 4, capturing the Senate majority for the first time in more than four decades. However, a power struggle emerged before the new term began. Four Democratic senators — Rubén Díaz Sr. (Bronx), Carl Kruger (Brooklyn), Pedro Espada Jr. (Bronx), and Hiram Monserrate (Queens) — immediately refused to caucus with their party. The self-named "Gang of Four" refused to back Malcolm Smith (Queens) as
819-422: The 2009–2010 legislative session, there were 32 Democrats and 30 Republicans in the Senate. On June 8, 2009, then-Senators Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.—both Democrats—voted with the 30 Republican members to install Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) as the new majority leader of the Senate, replacing Democratic Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. The Associated Press described
882-411: The 2010 elections, winning 32 seats to the Democrats' 30 on Election Day. One Republican Senate incumbent (Sen. Frank Padavan of Queens) was defeated, while Democratic candidate David Carlucci was elected to an open seat in Senate District 38 that had been vacated due to the death of Republican Senator Thomas Morahan on July 12, 2010. Four Democratic incumbents lost their seats to Republicans in
945-653: The 2010 elections: Sen. Brian Foley was defeated by Lee Zeldin , Sen. Antoine Thompson was defeated by Mark Grisanti , Sen. Darrel Aubertine was defeated by Patty Ritchie , and Craig M. Johnson was defeated by Jack Martins . Just before the new legislative session convened in January 2011, four Senate Democrats—led by former Democratic whip Jeff Klein—broke away from the Senate Democratic Conference to form an Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). Klein said that he and his three colleagues, Diane Savino , David Carlucci and David Valesky could no longer support
1008-572: The 25th district of the New York State Senate against the incumbent State Senator John H. Farrell , who was supported by DeSapio. Ohrenstein defeated Farrell in the Democratic primary. Ohrenstein then won the general election with about 57 percent of the vote. In a 1965 editorial, The New York Times said "Senator Manfred Ohrenstein is an outstanding Reform legislator who puts principle first." He easily won reelection (often by lopsided margins) until he retired in 1994. Ohrenstein briefly represented
1071-535: The 29th District after a special election in 1965 (when State Senate and Assembly district lines were reapportioned), but the following year was elected to represent the 25th district again. After district boundaries were redrawn after the 1970 census, Ohrenstein began representing the 27th district, which he held until his retirement. He sat in the 173rd , 174th , 175th , 176th , 177th , 178th , 179th , 180th , 181st , 182nd , 183rd , 184th , 185th , 186th , 187th , 188th , 189th and state legislatures . In
1134-778: The Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, Patrick J. Cunningham. Several of the new Democratic Members of the New York Senate had prevailed as challengers to the incumbents in the Primary Election of 1974 and voted for Senator Ohrenstein despite the opposition of the then state leadership of the Democratic Party. Ohrenstein was a major advocate of legislation to abolish the death penalty in New York . In 1965, Ohrenstein introduced Bill S.639 to abolish capital punishment in
1197-1078: The City University of New York and subsequently to the Mayoral Task Force on the New York City Board of Elections. He was the vice chairman and a co-founder of the Museum of Jewish Heritage , and vice president of the New York Insurance Federation. Ohrenstein was a member of the board of the New York City chapter of the American Jewish Committee and the advisory board of the Baruch School of Public Affairs. Ohrenstein and his wife, Dr. Marilyn Bacher, had two children. He died at his home in Manhattan on November 18, 2024, at
1260-484: The Democratic Party holds 41 seats in the Senate. The Republicans hold 21 seats, and one seat is vacant. The Lieutenant Governor of New York is the ex officio President of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor has a casting vote in the event of a tie; however, there is debate over the meaning of the term "casting vote". With few exceptions, the Senate is presided over by the Temporary President ,
1323-490: The Democratic Party." The principal objective of this organization was to oust the then-leader of the New York County Democratic organization, Carmine DeSapio , otherwise known as Tammany Hall , and elect a Democratic reform leader as county leader. To assist in achieving this objective and to elect a liberal to the New York State Senate , Ohrenstein became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for
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#17327902422851386-547: The Democrats gained a 32–31 numerical Senate majority; however, Felder continued to caucus with the Republicans, allowing them to maintain a 32–31 majority instead. In 2018, five Republican senators announced that they would not seek re-election in the fall. In the September 13, 2018 Democratic primary elections, all eight Democratic senators who had been members of the IDC at the time of its dissolution faced challengers. Six of
1449-677: The Deputy Democratic Conference Leader. The announcement followed a meeting called by Governor Andrew Cuomo at which Cuomo requested that the IDC reunite with the Senate Democratic Conference. On April 16, the IDC was dissolved. After the IDC dissolved, the Senate Democratic Conference contained 29 Members, the Senate Republican Conference contained 32 Members (including Sen. Felder), and there were two vacant Senate seats. After two April 24, 2018 special elections were won by Democrats,
1512-709: The GOP; Felder's move ensured that the Republicans would retain control of the Senate by a margin of 32–31. Newly elected Democratic Sen. Marisol Alcantara also announced that she would join the IDC, after Klein assisted her campaign. Liberal groups in New York State, including the Working Families Party , called on Gov. Cuomo to intervene and pressure Sen. Felder, the IDC, and the Senate Democratic Conference to unite. On January 2, 2017, Senate Majority Leader Flanagan and Senate IDC Leader Klein announced
1575-540: The IDC in December 2012. On December 17, 2012, Senate Democrats elected Andrea Stewart-Cousins as Senate Democratic Leader. Stewart-Cousins became the first woman in history to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature . Malcolm Smith was expelled from the IDC in April 2013 due to a scandal in which he attempted to bribe the Republican Party chairs in New York City for a Wilson Pakula to run in
1638-429: The IDC. In June 2014, the IDC announced that it would end its political alliance with the Republicans and create a new one with the Senate Democratic Conference, citing a need "to fight for the core Democratic policies that are left undone." In the 2014 elections, Senate Republicans retook an outright majority in the Senate. The election results meant that Klein lost his position as co-leader, with Skelos taking over as
1701-699: The New York District Attorney's office in 1958 to resume the practice of law in New York City and in 1983 helped form the law firm of Ohrenstein & Brown, LLP. In addition to New York State, he is admitted to practice before the Court of Military Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit . He also became active in New York politics and in 1960 was elected to the New York State Senate representing
1764-543: The Republican Conference and the Democratic Conference. Due to a vacancy in the office of the Lieutenant Governor, there was no way to break the deadlock. Between June 8 and the end of the "coup" on July 9, the Senate did not conduct any official business. According to The New York Times , Espada's power play "threw the Senate into turmoil and hobbled the state government, making the body
1827-536: The Senate Majority Leader and Temporary President of the Senate and regaining sole control over which bills would reach the Senate floor. After the election, the IDC reversed course and continued its alliance with the Republicans in the 2015 legislative session despite their conference's diminished role. On May 4, 2015, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced the arrest of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (along with his son, Adam Skelos) and
1890-486: The Senate by a vote of 33–29. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed it into law at 11:55 P.M. On March 15, 2012, Gov. Cuomo signed redistricting legislation that added a 63rd State Senate district. Months prior to the passage of the redistricting legislation, the New York Daily News reported that according to Republican sources, adding a 63rd seat "to the current 62-member body would...make political coups like
1953-476: The Senate during a "transition period" after which Sampson would ascend to the Temporary Presidency. On February 9, 2010, the Senate voted to expel Monserrate from the Senate following a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction. Espada was defeated in a September 2010 primary election in which the Democratic Party backed his challenger, Gustavo Rivera . Republicans retook the Senate majority in
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2016-845: The Senate to provide New York City with the taxing authority it needs to maintain the services so essential to its well-being." Senator Ohrenstein, and the Republican Majority Leader of the Senate Warren Anderson, successfully achieved bipartisan support for these landmark measures. These measures also included the creation of the New York State Financial Control Board and other reforms of the New York City budget process. On September 16, 1987, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau indicted Ohrenstein on 564 counts of conspiracy, grand larceny, and other charges related to
2079-688: The West Side of Manhattan. In 1975 he became the Democratic leader of the New York State Senate . In 1980 he also served as chairman of the New York Delegation to the Democratic National Convention which nominated Jimmy Carter for president. He left the New York Senate at the end of 1994 to resume the practice of law. Thereafter he was appointed by Mayor Rudy Giuliani as a member of the Mayor's Task Force on
2142-538: The age of 99. In 1960, Ohrenstein emerged as one of the major leaders of the New York City Democratic reform movement. He joined forces with Eleanor Roosevelt and former governor and U.S. Senator Herbert H. Lehman to organize the Committee for Democratic Voters. The New York Post called Manfred Ohrenstein a "standout example of the new young leadership that is spearheading the drive to reform
2205-473: The arrest of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver . Within days, Skelos announced that he was stepping down as leader of the Republican Caucus and as Majority Leader. Senator John Flanagan , of Suffolk County, became the new Majority Leader, and the first Majority Leader from Suffolk County. After Skelos was convicted in December 2015, his seat was declared vacant, with a special election to be held on
2268-493: The bill. Sen. Alesi opted to retire instead of facing a potential primary challenge; Sen. McDonald lost a Republican primary to Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione; and Sen. Saland won his Republican primary, but lost the general election to Democrat Terry Gipson after Saland's Republican primary challenger, Neil Di Carlo, remained on the ballot on the Conservative line and acted as a spoiler. On December 4, 2012, it
2331-771: The challengers prevailed. Another Democratic incumbent, Martin Malave Dilan , was also defeated by a primary challenger ( Julia Salazar , a self-described democratic socialist ). On November 6, 2018, the Democratic Party gained eight seats and won control of the State Senate. Democratic challengers defeated incumbent Republican Sens. Carl Marcellino, Kemp Hannon, Martin Golden, Terrence Murphy, and Elaine Phillips and won races in three districts (Districts 3, 39, and 42, respectively) in which Republican incumbents had not sought re-election. The mainstream Democrats won 39 seats,
2394-485: The chamber's majority leader and sought concessions. Monserrate soon rejoined the caucus after reaching an agreement with Smith that reportedly included the chairmanship of the Consumer Affairs Committee. The remaining "Gang of Three" reached an initial compromise in early December that collapsed within a week, but was ultimately resolved with Smith becoming majority leader. At the beginning of
2457-505: The conference. In the 2016 elections, Senate Republicans lost one seat on Long Island and gained an upstate seat in Buffalo. On Long Island, freshman Sen. Michael Venditto was defeated in a close race by Democrat John Brooks. In Buffalo, the open seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Mark Panepinto (who did not seek re-election) was won by Republican Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs. Sen. Simcha Felder announced that he would continue to caucus with
2520-558: The continuation of their coalition. In late January 2017, Senator Jose Peralta announced that he was joining the IDC, expanding the IDC to 8 members, the Republican-IDC-Felder coalition to 40 members, and reducing the Democratic conference to 23 members. On April 4, 2018, the IDC announced that it would dissolve, that its members would rejoin the Senate Democratic Conference, that Stewart-Cousins would continue as Senate Democratic Leader, and that Sen. Klein would become
2583-512: The degree of Juris Doctor . From 1952 to 1954, Ohrenstein served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant, Judge Advocate General Corps. After leaving active duty he continued to serve in the military as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1954-1960. On leaving active duty he was appointed as an assistant district attorney by the Manhattan District Attorney Frank Hogan and served from 1954 to 1958. He left
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2646-533: The first woman to hold the post. In July 2019, Simcha Felder was accepted into the Senate Democratic Conference; this action gave the Conference a total of 40 members. During the 2019-2020 session, Republican Bob Antonacci resigned his seat to become a trial court judge, and eight other members of the Senate Republican Conference announced that they would not seek re-election in 2020. In anticipation of Leader Flanagan's resignation on June 28, Sen. Rob Ortt
2709-571: The four legislative leaders representing the Senate and Assembly, became involved in the successful bailout from near bankruptcy of the New York State Battery Park Authority and later of the City of New York itself during the 1975/76/77 legislative sessions. In his public papers, Governor Carey acknowledges Senator Ohrenstein's efforts: "I fully support the efforts of Senator Ohrenstein and the Democratic minority of
2772-493: The governor on August 2, 1966. Ohrenstein was also chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Higher Education. Under his leadership this committee achieved major reforms (Bill A.6125) in the administration and financing of the City University of New York. A New York Times editorial supported Senator Ohrenstein's recommendations: "After much vacillation Governor Rockefeller has come to the support of
2835-501: The indictment, Ohrenstein, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was easily reelected in 1988 and continued to serve as minority leader. On November 27, 1990, the New York State Court of Appeals dismissed 445 counts against Ohrenstein, stating that "the point we are making in this case is that at the time the defendants acted, their conduct was not prohibited in any manner." On September 5, 1991, at Morgenthau's request,
2898-454: The leadership of Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson. In March 2011, "Gang of Four" member Senator Carl Kruger surrendered to bribery charges. He later pleaded guilty to those charges in December 2011. On March 20, 2012, Republican David Storobin defeated Democrat Lew Fidler in a special election to fill Kruger's vacated seat; results of the special election took weeks to finalize. On June 24, 2011, same-sex marriage legislation passed
2961-559: The one that shut down the chamber two years ago more difficult". The Daily News added: "Insiders note that adding a 63rd seat in the state Senate would avoid any legislative chaos by ensuring one party would be in the majority – as opposed to now, with an even number of seats". Following a lawsuit, the New York Court of Appeals upheld the enacted redistricting plan on May 3, 2012. In the November 6, 2012 elections, Democrats won
3024-594: The presidential primary of 2016. The special election was won by Democrat Todd Kaminsky, resulting in the Democratic Party having a numerical 32–31 advantage over the Republicans in the State Senate. Despite this, both Senator Felder and the members of the IDC chose to remain in coalition with the Republican majority. Late in 2016, Senator Jesse Hamilton announced his intention to join the IDC if re-elected. The IDC aided Hamilton in his first election in 2014, which had resulted in speculation he would eventually join
3087-619: The senate, Ohrenstein compiled a liberal voting record, supporting anti-discrimination measures for gays and lesbians and strict rent control laws. In 1975, Ohrenstein was elected Senate minority leader by his Democratic colleagues. He held the position until his retirement. This was a major victory for the New York City Democratic Reform Movement. He was opposed in this election by the Democratic Governor Hugh Carey and by
3150-491: The shortest-tenured senator in modern New York history. Amedore would eventually win a rematch with Tkaczyk in 2014. Of the four Republican state senators who voted for the Marriage Equality Act in 2011 (Sens. Roy McDonald , James Alesi , Mark Grisanti , and Stephen Saland ), ) only Grisanti was re-elected in 2012. The Conservative Party of New York withdrew support for any candidate who had voted for
3213-516: The state budget". Sens. Klein and Skelos also agreed that the title of Senate President would shift back and forth between the two of them every two weeks. Together, the Senate Republicans and the IDC held enough seats to form a governing majority; that majority was augmented when freshman Sen. Simcha Felder of Brooklyn, a Democrat, joined the Senate Republican Conference. Also, former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith joined
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#17327902422853276-406: The state; the bill was passed by the legislation and signed by Governor Nelson Rockefeller on June 1, 1965. Ohrenstein was a chief sponsor of S. 8556 legislation that tried to legalize abortion in New York . Ohrenstein introduced this bill on March 5, 1970. It was cosponsored by Senator D. Clinton Dominick III, a Republican. It passed the senate on March 18, 1970 and an amended version of the bill
3339-407: The upcoming New York City mayoral election . Former Senate Minority Leader John L. Sampson was expelled from the Senate Democratic Conference on May 6, 2013, following his arrest on embezzlement charges. Sampson later forfeited his Senate seat after being convicted of making false statements to federal agents in relation to the initial embezzlement case. In February 2014, Tony Avella joined
3402-426: The vote as a "parliamentary coup". The move came after Republican whip Tom Libous introduced a surprise resolution to vacate the chair and replace Smith as temporary president and majority leader. In an effort to stop the vote, Democratic whip Jeff Klein (Bronx) unilaterally moved to recess, and Smith had the lights and Internet cut off; however, they were unable to prevent the vote from being held. In accordance with
3465-433: The well-conceived legislative plan to assure the fiscal soundness of the City University. The bill follows closely the recommendations that emerged from hearings conducted by State Senator Manfred Ohrenstein." In his thirty-four years in office, Ohrenstein also championed rent regulations, welfare and civil rights reforms. Immediately upon taking office as minority leader on January 1, 1975, Senator Ohrenstein, now as one of
3528-439: Was announced that Senate Republicans had reached a power-sharing deal with the four-member Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). Under their power-sharing arrangement, the IDC and the Senate Republicans to "jointly decide what bills [would] reach the Senate floor each day of the session", would "dole out committee assignments", would "have the power to make appointments to state and local boards", and would "share negotiations over
3591-521: Was born in Mannheim , Germany , on August 5, 1925, to Polish-born Jewish parents. In 1938, Ohrenstein and his family fled Nazi Germany and settled in Brownsville, Brooklyn . Ohrenstein graduated from Brooklyn College in 1948 with a B.A degree, cum laude. He thereafter attended Columbia Law School from 1948 to 1951, where he was designated as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and graduated with
3654-407: Was created through the redistricting process in 2012—was noteworthy because the candidate who was sworn in as the victor was later found, following a recount, to have lost the election. Republican George Amedore was sworn in to the State Senate following the election. However, a recount revealed that Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk had defeated Amedore by 18 votes; therefore, Amedore vacated the seat, becoming
3717-463: Was dominated by the Republican Party for much of the 20th century. Between World War II and the turn of the 21st century, the Democratic Party only controlled the upper house for one year. The Democrats took control of the Senate following the 1964 elections; however, the Republicans quickly regained a Senate majority in special elections later that year . By 2018, the State Senate was the last Republican-controlled body in New York's government. In
3780-529: Was held on November 2, 1965, to elect a judge of the New York Court of Appeals , as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate . Judge Marvin R. Dye would reach the constitutional age limit of 70 years at the end of the year. In December 1964, the assembly and senate districts were re-apportioned. This time, the legislators were elected for an exceptional one-year term (the session of 1966). From this election on,
3843-525: Was honored in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney . She called him a brilliant intellect who is "driven above all by what he believes is right. His progressive values are rock solid. In 34 years of public service, his commitment to equal opportunity for women and minorities, a woman's right to choose, education and civil rights has never wavered." New York State Senate Minority The New York State Senate
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#17327902422853906-507: Was named the leader of the Senate Republican Conference. On July 20, 2020, Sen. Chris Jacobs stepped down after being elected to the United States House of Representatives . In the 2020 elections, Senate Democrats won a total of 43 seats, while Republicans won 20. Sen. Tim Kennedy ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024 and prevailed; he left the Senate and became a member of Congress. As of October 2024,
3969-472: Was subsequently passed by the legislature and signed by the governor on April 11, 1970. Three years later the U.S. Supreme Court issued Roe v. Wade . Ohrenstein became the chairman of the Senate Committee on Mental Health in 1965. He was instrumental in passing legislation (Bill A.6033) to provide greater state aid for the construction of local mental health facilities. It was signed into law by
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