By Stephen Witt
Is former State Senator Carl Andrews working for the recently installed Spitzer administration? Kind of. “There has been no appointment made for Carl Andrews at this time,” said Spitzer spokesperson Christine Pritchard, suggesting that a reporter check back with her in a few weeks on the issue. But calls to Andrews — who ran unsuccessfully for the 11th District Congressional seat vacated by retiring Major Owens and won by Yvette Clarke — were referred to Spitzer’s press office. Andrews has a wealth of government education and experience. This includes a BA from Medgar Evers College in political studies, and an MA in African-American Studies from Albany State University. Before becoming State Senator, Andrews also worked closely with the new governor as Director of Intergovernmental Relations in Spitzer’s attorney General’s office. Spitzer also endorsed Andrews in the 11th Congressional race. Andrews has also enjoyed a long and close relationship with former Kings County boss and assembly member Clarence Norman. Norman was convicted last year on corruption charges stemming from soliciting illegal contributions from a lobbyist and for depositing a $5,000 donation into a personal account. New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) Legislative Director Blair Horner, who is also part of the Spitzer transition team, said he is not in a position to formulate an opinion on Andrews. “I know he [Andrews] worked with Spitzer in his first Attorney General term and notwithstanding his political affiliation, the issue is whether he can do a good job or not,” said Horner. Horner said that, as a Democrat, it was hard for Andrews to have an impact on the Republican-controlled Senate. “That said, when I dealt with him it seemed he was on top of the issues and he knew what he was talking about,” said Horner.
