Fate of the Assembly Leadership (Updated)
In the hours before Assembly Democrats will hold a conference to discuss the fate of recently-arrested Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, several Assembly Democrats have publicly called on Silver to resign, including influential Assemblyman Keith Wright.
Wright, the former co-chair of the state Democratic Committee, is one of the names being floated to potentially replace Silver should he step down or be ousted from his position as speaker.
“Based upon the extraordinarily disturbing events from last week, revelations and charges that will reverberate for months if not years to come, Sheldon Silver must resign as Speaker immediately. I am deeply concerned about the weight this prosecution bears upon him and hope that justice prevails,” Wright said in a statement. “Due process is a fundamental right, guaranteed to all no matter political status or public opinion. Consequently, these times demand a change in leadership in order for the people's work to move forward free of distraction and the stink of scandal.”
Support for Silver dwindled over the weekend as details about the charges against him emerged and members grew more uncertain about the speaker's ability to remain in power. Silver’s spokesman, Mike Whyland, told reporters last night that Silver would delegate his duties on a temporary basis to five senior Assembly members, a move that has been criticized by some Assembly members.
“There comes a time when an institution must come before any individual, and it is for these reasons that I believe that Speaker Silver should step down as Speaker and allow for this body to get to work on these issues without being distracted, “Assemblyman Luis Sepulevda said in a statement. “It is likely that distractions like this will continue throughout the legislative session period if Speaker Silver remains in his leadership position.
The Assembly Democrats are expected to conference today at 1:45 p.m. Check back here throughout the afternoon for updates.
UPDATE: The conference was pushed back to 4 p.m., but now members are saying it may be even later. The Assembly's scheduled session has been pushed back to 5 p.m.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin announced the creation of a suburban Assembly Democrats caucus to voice their displeasure with Silver’s choice of the five Assembly members who would take over his responsibilities while he steps aside.
Paulin told reporters Monday afternoon that the suburban caucus had 17 members who would call on Silver to resign and support Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle to step in as speaker temporarily while new leadership is sought.
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb said the Assembly GOP has not yet decided who they would support if the Assembly were to vote on a new leader, but that they are open to voting for an Assembly Democrat who is not Silver.