Republicans have won pivotal New York State Senate races, repelling an effort by Democrats to take over the legislative chamber.

Among the victors are state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, of the 2nd District, who held off a 24-year-old Democratic challenger, Peter Magistrale, and Stephen Ruth, the Libertarian candidate and opponent of red-light cameras.

Other Long Island winners included Elaine Phillips, Carl Marcellino and Kemp Hannon, Flanagan told News 12. Chris McGrath, however, lost his race to Democrat Todd Kaminsky.

Some Republicans had been worried that the recent arrests of high-profile Nassau County politicians would have a negative impact on the elections. As News 12 has reported, two of Nassau's top Republicans, County Executive Ed Mangano and Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, were each arrested on corruption charges just days before Election Day.