There are number of important races to watch in the Hudson Valley on Election Day.

Congressional District 19: Zephyr Teachout (D) vs. John Faso (R)

Many political experts are saying this race could shift the balance of power in Congress. Faso and Teachout are looking to replace outgoing Hudson Valley Congressman Chris Gibson. Gibson is retiring after three terms of representing parts of Ulster and Dutchess counties, along with the Catskills.

Former State Assemblyman and attorney John Faso hopes to hold the seat for Republicans but is facing a tough challenge from Democratic Fordham University associate law professor Zephyr Teachout.

Teachout, who has the support of Bernie Sanders, lost to Andrew Cuomo in the 2014 gubernatorial primary. However, she won in landslide votes in a number of Hudson Valley counties that she’s now hoping to represent, reports Politico.

The race is extremely close. A Siena Research Institute poll has Faso leading by six points, while USA Today has Teachout up by three.

Congressional District 18: Sean Patrick Maloney (D) vs. Phil Oliva (R)

Democratic Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, who represents the Hudson Valley's 18th Congressional District, is running against Republican Phil Oliva, an advisor to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.

While Patrick Maloney won his first two races by small margins, experts believe Oliva doesn’t stand much of a chance.

State Senate District 39: Chris Eachus (D) vs. Bill Larkin (R)

In 2012, Eachus finished within five points of beating 12-term incumbent Larkin. This time, Eachus supporters claim Larkin may be too old to continue to be an effective senator.

Larkin missed 166 votes in this year’s session and the 88-year-old Korean War veteran obeyed doctors’ orders to not campaign this fall, according to Politco.

State Senate District 41: Terry Gipson (D) vs. Sue Serino (R)

In 2012, Terry Gipson unseated incumbent Republican Stephen Saland, largely due to another candidate who ran against Saland.

Serino then defeated Gipson in 2014. Serino won by 4.5 points in that election. Politco reports, democrats in the Hudson Valley usually get a five point bump in presidential years, making this year’s race hard to predict.

State Senate District 40: Ali Boak (D) vs. Terrence Murphy (R)

The race for the 40th Senate District is pitting incumbent Republican Terrence Murphy against Democrat and former Pound Ridge Councilwoman Alison Boak.

The seat has been held by Republicans for decades.

Assembly District 98: Aron Wieder (D) vs. Karl Brabenec (R)

Two years ago, Karl Brabenec won by just 37 votes.

The district includes parts of Orange and Rockland counties.

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