3rd GOP state senator calls it quits

In a setback to Republican hopes for maintaining control of the state Senate, a veteran GOP lawmaker on Friday became the third in a week to announce he won’t be seeking re-election.

John Bonacic, who represents the Hudson Valley, said he’ll be giving up an office he has held since 1999 to spend more time with his family.

“Twenty years . . . is enough and I look forward to spending quality time with my bride, Pat, and my children and grandchildren,” he said.

Bonacic, 75, joined Kathy Marchione, 63, of Saratoga and John DeFrancisco, 71, of Syracuse, who both revealed their retirement plans over the past few days. All three had been considered safe bets to win re-election.

The only reason the GOP remains in control of the New York Senate is because conservative Brooklyn Sen. Simcha Felder, a Democrat, caucuses with Republicans to give them 32 votes in the 63-seat chamber.

“This certainly makes it more difficult for Republicans to retain the majority,” Felder said Friday.

Jubilant Democrats claim that Republicans are fleeing because they sense a “blue wave” that will overwhelm them in November’s elections.

“Clearly the Republicans see the writing on the wall,” said Mike Murphy, spokesman for Senate Dem Andrea Stewart Cousins. “Democrats have gained 10 seats in two weeks.”

Eight of those 10 seats were the return of eight Democrats in the Independent Democratic Conference, who had been voting with the GOP.