THE BURNED OVER DISTRICT

Normally NY Gov Andrew Cuomo, ostensibly a Democrat, couldn't give a rat's ass if the Republicans controlled the NY State Senate. Suddenly he is out and about spending money and in otherways helping Democratic candidates for the state Senate.

Mr. Cuomo, a centrist fond of touting his fiscal restraint, has long drawn the suspicion of some progressives who believe that he secretly opposes a Democrat-controlled Senate. Such a Senate, the theory goes, could push through long-stalled — and expensive — legislation that the governor, also a Democrat, publicly supports but privately might rather see languish.

Mr. Cuomo’s own remarks have done little to allay those suspicions. After an unsuccessful Democratic campaign to recapture the Senate in 2016, the governor reassured Republicans in a closed-door meeting that he had barely dipped into his own campaign coffers, telling them, “You can’t call that campaigning.” Last year, when asked if an entirely blue Legislature would be better for New York (the Assembly is dominated by Democrats), he offered that Democratic control of Albany in the past “wasn’t extraordinarily successful.”

This year seems different. Invoking the threat posed bMr. Cuomo’s support, both financial and rhetorical, could be enough to sway the outcome in some of the most closely watched races, especially on Long Island, where voters skew more moderate and split almost in half for Hillary Clinton and Mr. Trump in 2016. The governor is popular among Democrats there, especially for his pledges to keep property taxes under control.

Mr. Cuomo’s prowess as a fund-raising juggernaut could prove especially pivotal, as both parties have flooded the suburbs with money. Senator Michael Gianaris, the head of the Senate Democrats’ campaign committee, said his group would likely spend more than $5 million this year, compared with $3 million in 2016. Historically, Senate Republicans have far outpaced Democrats in fund-raising — a trend likely to continue this year — and outside groups are expected to spend millions as well.y President Trump, Mr. Cuomo has rallied with several State Senate candidates on Long Island, where Democrats hope to flip at least three seats, and has headlined fund-raisers for others around the state. He announced a $2 million television and digital ad campaign for taking back the Senate, paid for by his campaign and the state Democratic Party, which he controls.

“This election has never been more important, and the choice has never been clearer,” the governor said in announcing the ad campaign.

Mr. Cuomo’s support, both financial and rhetorical, could be enough to sway the outcome in some of the most closely watched races, especially on Long Island, where voters skew more moderate and split almost in half for Hillary Clinton and Mr. Trump in 2016. The governor is popular among Democrats there, especially for his pledges to keep property taxes under control.

Mr. Cuomo’s prowess as a fund-raising juggernaut could prove especially pivotal, as both parties have flooded the suburbs with money. Senator Michael Gianaris, the head of the Senate Democrats’ campaign committee, said his group would likely spend more than $5 million this year, compared with $3 million in 2016. Historically, Senate Republicans have far outpaced Democrats in fund-raising — a trend likely to continue this year — and outside groups are expected to spend millions as well.

If I didn't know bwtter, and I don't, I might say that Andy is prepping for a 2020 presidential run. But one bonus is the control of both houses and the governor's chair would allow him to gerrymander the GOP out of existence.