Eric Schneiderman has represented this district that goes along the West Side of Manhattan and into the Bronx since 1998. For much of the time, he has worked for Democrats to wrest control of the State Senate from Republicans, challenging the kind of non-aggression pact that existed in Albany for many years.

In 2002, the legislature redrew his district, a move widely seen as creating boundaries less hospitable to him. Schneiderman won that year with about two thirds of the vote and has been reelected twice since.

This time around, Schneiderman has two opponents, but some of the zeal seems to have gone from the bid to remove him. On the Republican line, he faces Martin Chicon, who has run repeatedly and unsuccessfully for office since at least 1992. This year he is a leader of a group called "Unidos por McCain" that seeks to build support for the Republican presidential candidate in traditionally Democratic neighborhoods in upper Manhattan.

Little information was available about the Conservative candidate, Stephen Bradian.

In his most recent campaign filing, Schneiderman reported having $88,211 on hand. Bradian reported no contributions, and records for Chicon were not available.