Carl Heastie Elected New Speaker of the Assembly

Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie was voted in unanimously by Assembly Democrats on Tuesday to become the next Speaker of the New York State Assembly and the first African American to hold the powerful post.

Heastie will replace Assemblyman Sheldon Silver, who was asked by the conference last week to resign as speaker after he was arrested on federal corruption charges. Silver ruled the Assembly for nearly 21 years, earning a reputation as a strict leader and skilled negotiator during the “three men in a room” budget discussions.

Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, has pledged reform.

“I am truly honored and humbled to have earned the support to be elected as new speaker of the New York State Assembly,” Heastie said. “We gather here today during a turbulent time for this institution. The resignation of the previous leader has brought about change in the leadership of this house. This change in leadership will bring about much needed reform.”

Heastie rose to the top of the list after several Assembly Democrats dropped out of the race last week. Assemblymembers Keith Wright, Joe Morelle, Joe Lentol and Catherine Nolan had originally made a bid for speaker. Nolan, who announced she was ending her campaign last night, was the last to drop out of the race.

The only dissenting votes came from Assembly Republicans, who voted for Minority Leader Brian Kolb, and Assembly members Claudia Tenney and Steve McLaughlin, who cast protest votes for U.S. District Attorney Preet Bharara.

An increasing number of Assembly Democrats who have been pushing for reform since Silver’s arrest.

“The last few weeks in the Assembly have been difficult for all members. However, now is an opportunity for us to start fresh and move towards real reform in this legislative body,” Assemblyman Louis Sepulveda, one of the members pushing for reform, said in a statement. “Over the last few days I have enjoyed interacting with my colleagues to discuss ways to better run this institution. It has been a pleasure to hear from the candidates for speaker on their thoughts regarding the ideas we as a group presented to them. I believe it has been a truly worthwhile effort and one that I hope we will continue to build on in the coming months.”

Reform advocates have raised questions about Heastie’s own ethics, given that his name was raised during the Moreland Commission's investigation on public corruption.

Heastie said that the Dream Act, the Women's Equality Act, expansion of the middle class and job creation will be top priorities.

“Most of all, we will accept nothing less than real, clear reform to make this chamber a place of process once again,” he said.

While Heastie also promised an on-time budget, Cuomo yesterday said he will not sign a budget agreement this year if his five-point ethics reform plan is not included, even if it means the first late budget delivered under his administration.

Heastie’s ascension will cause a ripple effect in the Assembly: he will step down as chair of the Labor Committee—a prized position for many Democrats—and an internal shuffling of committee chairs may follow.

Heastie has also said he will resign from his role as Bronx Democratic County Committee chair. Well placed sources tell City & State that there could be an internal fight for that position, with several Puerto Rican lawmakers vying for the post, including Assembly members Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepúlveda.