Joe Spector over at Gannett has a round up of the New York State Senate races in play. Snips and highlights below - the entire article is worth the read. The essence is the Dems are challenged in fundraising and huge Presidential turnout will hopefully help the Democrats down ticket.

ALBANY — The Republicans’ plan to retain control of the state Senate is simple: defend incumbents, win an open seat in western New York and pick off a few vulnerable Democratic lawmakers, including in Westchester and Buffalo.

Guess what the Democrats’ plan is the opposite

The playbook for Democrats includes knocking off some long-serving Republicans, winning that same western New York seat and keeping their recently elected senators in office.

I’ve extracted SD-56th information from the article and kept it above the fold.

Republicans’ objectives

Republicans feel comfortable with Robach’s standing yet are starting to hit back with mailings critical of Dollinger. Dollinger had launched ads attacking Robach’s record, trying to paint him as a conservative Republican. Dollinger, aides said, is expected to shift attention soon to his own platform.

Democrats’ Focus

Fundraising may be a concern for Democrats, though: They only raised $18,168 in the last three weeks, compared to $976,367 for Republicans.

Senate Democrats had just $550,000 on hand in the latest campaign finance reports, compared to more than $2.1 million for Senate Republicans.

Gov. David Paterson is helping by raising money for the state party that is being transferred to Democratic candidates. On Thursday, the party shifted $84,000 to Dollinger’s campaign — money that party officials say Paterson raised.

Democrats said they still like Dollinger’s chances, saying that voter turnout in the heavily Democratic city of Rochester could propel him over Robach.

You can read about other races below the fold -

Again, I’ve removed and repositioned Dollinger/Robach information from Spector’s article.

Republicans’ objectives

The Senate Republican Campaign Committee spent more than $1.6 million in recent weeks, state records show. The most — $314,465 — went to Maltese, followed by $183,454 for candidate John Murtagh in Westchester County, who is challenging Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers.

Republicans are also focusing in Westchester on Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Mamaroneck.

[snip]

Republicans are increasingly optimistic about the chances of Buffalo candidate Dennis Delano, a former detective well known for helping free two wrongly convicted suspects. He is facing long-time Democratic Sen. William Stachowski.

Democrats’ focus

Democrats say they have the strongest lineup in memory and hope that a strong showing by presidential candidate Barack Obama in New York will lead to a historic Democratic turnout.

“We’ve been very clear which seats we hope to pick up. Everything is working as planned,” said Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, who is leading the Senate Democrats’ campaigns.

They have confidence in Maltese’s challenger, City Councilman Joe Addabbo, and Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley, who is challenging 36-year incumbent Trunzo in Suffolk County.

[snip]

They also feel Mesi can beat Ranzenhofer and dispel Republican speculation that Democrats like Oppenheimer, Stachowski or Stewart-Cousins will be seriously challenged.

“All of our incumbents are in great shape,” Klein said. “…Right now, Republicans have to be playing defense.”

Related posts:

1. Dollinger running for State Senate
2. Endorsements: Where is Major Duffy on a Democratic State Senate Majority?
3. NY-55 & NY-56: Senator Schumer endorses Nachbar and Dollinger for State Senate
4. Weak D&C editorial on the New York State Senate drama
5. A squandered Democratic opportunity in the New York State Senate — updated.