New York
Related: About this forumSenate Dems still back IDC challenges, for now
Jimmy Vielkind and Josefa Velasquez
ALBANYThey announced a deal to make a deal, but they're not disarming yet.
Leaders of both Democratic conferences in the State Senateits mainstream Democrats and the five-member Independent Democratic Conferencerefused to call for an end to a half-dozen primary challenges to incumbent senators that were put in motion in recent months as the rival factions geared up for electoral war.
While most of the challenges are expected to fizzle in the next few weeks, the lack of an immediate armistice is an indication of lingering tension and distrust between Senator Jeff Klein, who leads the I.D.C., and Senate Democratic Conference leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
I don't have any message for any of the primary challengers, Stewart-Cousins told Capital. These are personal decisions that are being made, I'm sure, by the individuals involved in a case-by-case basis. People will do what they feel is right for them. I'm just happy, quite honestly, that we have concluded what is right for the people of New York State is to allow them to actually have the leadership that they've called for.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/06/8548045/senate-dems-still-back-idc-challenges-now
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Liz Benjamin
The WFP is wasting no time is trying to capitalize on the news that Klein and breakaway conference have agreed to strike a power-sharing deal with the regular Democrats.
In an email with the subject line Guess Whos Back? WFP State Director Bill Lipton crowed over the news that Klein et al would be forming a new progressive majority coalition that (theoretically) will enable passage of a host of blocked bills from the Womens Equality Act to public campaign financing.
But Lipton also recognized that even with the IDC on their side, the Democrats would be holding an extremely slim, one-seat margin in the chamber and thats assuming they hold every seat theyve got in the upcoming elections.
http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/06/wfp-raises-off-idc-dem-deal/
Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)Far as I know... Koppell's on the primary ballot vs. Klein.
Last I heard. He planned to stay there.