Queens was the an active front in the Democrat’s battle to wrest control of the State Senate from the Republicans for the first time in four decades, a feat they accomplished when long-sitting incumbent State Senator Serphin Maltese was unseated by challenger Councilman Joseph Addabbo.

The Democrats are also waiting for the final tally in another close race between current State Senator Frank Padavan and his challenger, another city councilman, James Gennaro.

Currently, Padavan leads Gennaro by less than 800 votes, with a stack of paper and absentee ballots still left to count. Gennaro has refused to concede the race to Padavan, waiting instead for the Board of Elections to count all of the votes.

“I’m gratified by the tremendous support that I received in every corner of this district, and am confident that when all of the ballots are counted we will be victorious,” said Gennaro the day after the election. “For the time being, the race remains extremely close and it’s critical that we respect the thousands of voters whose voices – and ballots – still must be counted.”

With Addabbo’s victory, the Democrats now control the Assembly, the State Senate, and the Governor’s mansion, giving them a huge advantage in steering legislation and public policy, as well as total control over the state budget.

Queens also played host to a couple of other interesting races, including that of Assemblywoman Marge Markey of Maspeth and Woodside, who faced a challenge from upstart Tony Nunziato. Markey easily answered, defeating Nunziato by earning 67.5 percent of the vote.

“New York faces many challenges over the months to come,” said Markey to supporters following her victory. “As we move ahead, job preservation and development and the continuation of important community programs for families, seniors, and youth will be my highest priorities.”

Meanwhile, Councilman Anthony Como, who was chosen to replace Dennis Gallagher in a special election in June, lost his seat to Elizabeth Crowley, who also ran in the June special election, but lost by a slim margin.

Crowley will be forced to defend her newly won seat next year, when candidates will compete again, this time for the right to serve a full four-year term.

The elections also left some vacant seats. Not only is Addabbo’s City Council seat now empty, so is that of Hiram Monserrate, who ran uncontested to replace John Sabini in the State Senate. Those elections are expected to take place early next year. Like Crowley, the winners will have to defend their seats in November of 2009, when they will compete for a full four-year term.

A similar situation will occur should Gennaro be able to pull out a win against Padavan.