By Ivan Pereira
Even though there were some dissension within his own party, state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D−St. Albans) said he not only expects to be chosen Democratic majority leader in January, he also vowed to end partisanship in Albany to better serve New York.
After Democrats won control of the Senate last week for the first time since 1964, Smith’s leadership was in jeopardy even though he had served one term as the minority leader.
Two state senators, Ruben Diaz (D−Bronx) and Carl Kruger (D−Brooklyn), and two senators−elect, City Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D−Elmhurst) and Pedro Espada Jr. (D−Bronx), refused to back Smith.
The so−called “Gang of Four” demanded that Latino state leaders be recognized in an independent caucus and did not attend a special meeting in Albany Nov. 5, where the rest of the state Democrats gave a vote of confidence to Smith. There was speculation that the four senators might defect to the GOP, which would have deprived the Democrats of a majority in the upper house.
In an e−mailed statement in answer to questions from the TimesLedger Newspapers, the senator said the uprising among his colleagues was not a problem and he was intent on serving as leader come January.
“Our conference is not divided, it’s diverse,” he said. “We have a women’s caucus, black caucus, Long Island caucus and upstate caucus, to name a few. The Democratic Conference is united and focused on getting New York working again.”
The senator, who needs 32 votes from his fellow Democrats to assume the majority leader position, has 28 so far. The Senate now has 32 elected Democrats and 30 Republicans, but Sen. Frank Padavan (R−Bellerose) is still in a race too close to call.
Smith got help from one of the four rogue senators — Monserrate — who reportedly will head a Latino caucus set up by Smith. Monserrate told the TimesLedger that the St. Albans senator was the best option for the party.
The other three elected officials, could not be reached for further comment. Diaz, who said he would not back Smith because the minority leader is in favor of gay marriage, told the Associated Press that the four senators would have a meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss their next step.
Smith told TimesLedger that as majority leader he would continue to reach beyond party lines to solve what he called New York’s biggest problem: the economy. He said he is committed to rules reform in Albany and making the Legislature more transparent.
“The rules reform I plan to institute with the support of the Democratic Conference will allow proposed legislation, sponsored by either party, to be debated on the Senate floor, even legislation I don’t personally agree with,” he said. “We strongly believe government should be more open and accountable and will work toward achieving that goal.”
In terms of rescuing the failing economy, Smith said he would reduce wasteful government spending and provide services to middle−class and low−income families across the state.
“As majority leader, I have a responsibility to represent the best interests of the entire state and will continue to work toward achieving ‘one New York,’ ” the senator said.
Howard Koplowitz contributed to this article.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e−mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 146.
