ALBANY — The Democrats Tuesday night won a majority in the state Senate, but still won't control the chamber because a Brooklyn Dem has chosen to continue to caucus with the Republicans

Hours before polls closed in two special Senate elections, Sen. Simcha Felder announced he would stick with the Republicans regardless of the outcome of the two races — which the Democrats ultimately won to give the party 32 members, the bare minimum needed to constitute a majority.

"With only 25 days remaining in this year's legislative session, I believe it is my obligation to prevent an unprecedented and uncertain late session political battle that will only hurt my constituents and New Yorkers," Felder said.

He said the issue of which party controls the chamber "is best resolved outside of the legislative session and I look forward to revisiting it after session."

Without Felder, the Dems are one member shy of controlling the Senate.

Democrats hoped Felder would return to the fold and they'd be able to take up progressive legislation long blocked by the Republicans if they won the won both special elections.

Democratic Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer easily defeated Republican Julie Killian in a hard-fought Senate race in Westchester County, while Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda easily cruised to victory in the Senate special election in the Bronx.

"Now is the time for all senators elected as Democrats to work together and achieve the functional Democratic Majority that New York voters elected this past November, and again tonight," Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said.

Until last week, Felder was one of nine breakaway Democrats aligned with the GOP. The other eight returned to the Democrats in a deal brokered by Gov. Cuomo.

Felder's decision to remain with the Republicans averts a possible court battle since Senate rules require a supermajority of 38 votes to change leadership. The Democrats have argued they could change the rule with a simple majority vote, but the Republicans indicated they were set to challenge that in court.

"Political gamesmanship must not be allowed to jeopardize the leadership, committee structure and staff of the New York State Senate and push this institution into turmoil," Felder said.His decision to remain with the Republicans also likely means little will get done over the legislative session's final weeks as all eyes turn to the critical November general elections

Cuomo said Mayer's victory is a sign that voters "reject the extreme conservative philosophy from Washington."

He also said that "we expect and believe 32 registered Democrats are going to come together an form a Democratic majority in that (state) Senate and today is just the beginning."

While Democrats predict an anti-President Trump blue wave in November, Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif insisted, "the New York City politicians who think it will be easy to flip the state Senate and impose their radical agenda on the people of New York should take heed. Our Majority represents the checks and balances, and the real accountability that hardworking taxpayers need and deserve."

As for the rest of the legislative session, the Republicans will be forced to govern with a razor-thin majority, which has proven difficult.

It also means they will need all their members in the chamber to approve any controversial legislation.