Democrats unanimously back Heastie for speaker
ALBANY Bronx Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie, bypassing more senior members in a rapid internal power campaign, on Tuesday will become the first African-American speaker of the New York State Assembly.
Heastie, a 47-year-old Democrat first elected in 2000, was unanimously endorsed by his fellow Democrats during a closed-door conference at the Capitol on Monday evening. That followed a furious behind-the-scenes campaign effort by Heastie, who pushed ahead for the top Assembly post while many lawmakers thought they had signed on to a more deliberative process that was not to conclude until a floor vote next Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Heastie will take over for Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, who led the chamber since 1994 but lost the confidence of his Democratic Conference after last month being charged with corruption by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Manhattan.
Silver, 70, to the amazement of some lawmakers, not only came to the Capitol on Monday, but also attended the private meeting among Democrats in which they embraced a new speaker. Lawmakers said Silver, who has insisted he will remain on as a member of the Assembly, also voted in private for Heastie.
The full Assembly is set to vote on Heastie on Tuesday morning, but with 105 members of the Democratic Conference in the 150-member house, selection of Heastie during those proceedings is a mere formality.
Heastie declined to speak to reporters Monday after the Democratic vote but said he was humbled by the support.
After an earlier private meeting with Assembly Democrats who created a self-proclaimed reform caucus to push for structural changes with the chambers operations, Heastie was also his characteristic no-comment self. It wouldnt be a private conversation if I told about the conversation, he said when asked about the meeting.
The judgment of the conference is I lost, said Assemblywoman Catherine T. Nolan, D-Queens, who joined the Assembly 30 years ago. On Monday afternoon, during the middle of the private Democratic Conference, Nolan became the last of four other veteran lawmakers interested in the speakers post to step aside in the face of the political juggernaut put together by Heastie.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo chose to stay away from Albany on Monday and use a speech at New York University to again highlight the Capitols ethical lapses. He laid out a set of proposals, some of them already previously made, to try to improve the reputation of the state government or, more precisely, the Legislature.
Cuomo accused unidentified lawmakers of going to Albany to make money through extra per diem payments on top of their salaries and said there should be further restrictions on how politicians can spend their campaign account funds. He said there needs to be total disclosure of lawmakers outside incomes, such as any connections their law firm clients might have to the state, and to end pensions for politicians convicted of corruption charges. Some of these proposals have been made by lawmakers and outside groups for years, but never gained traction among top Albany officials.
Visit link:
Democrats unanimously back Heastie for speaker
- Democrats now have easier paths to flipping the Senate. Here are races to watch. - The Washington Post - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Sen. Mark Kelly says Democrats have to 'do a better job' if they have good midterm showing - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- What Democrats are getting right and wrong in run-up to midterms: We cant just be anti-Trump - The Guardian - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- What happens if the Democrats sweep the midterms? - Comment is Freed - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Democrats rally at Little Flock Picnic, hear from Shoffner, Love, Grappe and Ryerse - nwaonline.com - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- If Democrats Win Control of Congress in the Midterms, Will They Impeach Trump a Third Time? - commondreams.org - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Inside NBC News polling averages: Democrats enjoy biggest lead yet in the race for Congress - NBC News - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- "Washington is broken": Democrats running for office turn sharply against their own party - Axios - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- David Jolly implores national Democrats to help his campaign for governor - WUSF - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Democrats favored to win slim House majority, nonpartisan analyst says - The Washington Post - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Brooklyn Democrats Were About to Lose Power. So They Changed the Rules. - The New York Times - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Opinion | Young Democrats Are Putting the Party Back in Politics. Its Working. - The New York Times - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Warren County Democrats kick off election season with second annual Democracy Dinner - WKUHerald.com - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Southern Democrats see hope for first time in years, seek to build on discontent of midterm voters - AP News - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Georgia Democrats are bullish on chances of flipping state House this year, but it wont be easy - dailykos.com - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Opinion/Op-Ed: Will the Democrats make inroads in November in red West Virginia? - WV News - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Southern Democrats see hope for first time in years, seek to build on discontent of midterm voters - WRAL - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Francesca Hong Hits The Road To Boost David Crowley And Democrats - Urban Milwaukee - September 28th, 2026 [September 28th, 2026]
- Kansas becomes the latest headache for Republicans, with Democrats eyeing a miracle in Senate race - CNN - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats are already making moves to run for president. Heres whos doing what. - The Washington Post - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- The Fight for the Senate Is a True Toss Up; Three Races Shift Toward Democrats - cookpolitical.com - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- How Democrats Could Work With Trump to Kill the Debt Ceiling For Good - Time Magazine - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- LEADER JEFFRIES IN THE CAPITOL: HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE RUNNING TOWARD THE FINISH LINE AND REPUBLICANS ARE RUNNING SCARED Congressman Hakeem Jeffries -... - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats sue Trump admin to keep armed agents from polls during midterms - Democracy Docket - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Kamala Harris campaigning for Democrats in 2026 midterms as her 2028 decision looms - pbs.org - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Opinion: Overheated Kansas Democrats need to take an ice bath. Hamilton-Marshall race has weeks to go. - Kansas Reflector - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Election Bettors Believe That Democrats Are Now Favorites To Win Senate Control - Forbes - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats Backed an Independent in Nebraska. Leaked Tapes Make Him a Risky Bet. - wsj.com - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Crypto weighs revenge against Democrats and the risks that come with it - Politico - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats call on Trump to establish agreement with Xi Jinping to slow AI development - WCIV - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- After Texas DPS neglected tens of thousands of voter applications, Democrats demand an investigation - The Texas Tribune - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats have been trying to nail Collins on corruption for years. Will this time be different? - Maine Morning Star - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Who is behind those 'Democrats for Biggs' signs? - azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats Push to Tweak College Sports Bill Ahead of Senate Vote - Bloomberg Government News - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Facing heat from Democrats, Collins team calls corruption allegations outrageous - Portland Press Herald - Maine Sunday Telegram - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Opinion | Limiting diesel exports would be a Trump midterm gift to Democrats - The Washington Post - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Majority of voters say country is on wrong track, favor Democrats in 2026: Poll - wreg.com - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Kamala Harris tells Michigan crowd Democrats have "got to be too big to rig" - cbsnews.com - September 24th, 2026 [September 24th, 2026]
- Democrats Gaza reckoning: how failing to give Palestinians a voice came back to bite the party - The Guardian - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats privately sounding alarm on GOP spending ahead of midterms - CNN - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Post Game: Are investigations on the horizon if Democrats take control of Congress? - NBC News - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats face uphill battle in winning any Tennessee U.S. House race - Tennessee Lookout - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- House Democrats Hold Forum on Protecting the Right to Vote - C-SPAN - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Fewer Democrats say they will vote by mail after Trumps failed assault - Democracy Docket - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Can Democrats flip the Senate? Heres the latest in key races - Los Angeles Times - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- The one issue where Republicans and Democrats are unified before the midterms, according to this poll - PBS - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats are now more worried than Republicans about AI and its impact on jobs - ssrs.com - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Missouri Democrats hope blue wave will help turn political tide in their favor - FOX 2 - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Complaints filed against Turning Point's 'Democrats for Biggs' campaign signs - ABC15 Arizona - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Lingering feuds threaten Democrats' bid to reclaim US Congress - Reuters - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Rep. Chellie Pingree and Democrats will take testimony on ICE killings Tuesday - newscentermaine.com - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- WATCH: Vance brands Democrats as 'lunatics' at rally in Iowa - PBS - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Manatee Republicans break from party, endorse Democrats in upcoming election - Bradenton Herald - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Who Will Win The Midterms? Polls Show Democrats Vaulting Ahead - Forbes - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Republicans are set to outspend Democrats on the air in 8 out of 9 close Senate races. Here's where - CNN - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- What Are Democrats Thinking? - Liberal Currents - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Monday evening headlines: Impacts of recent rain, Democrats struggle with funding ahead of midterms - weareiowa.com - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- 'I'm begging for help': David Jolly asks national Democrats to close the cash gap with Byron Donalds - Florida Politics - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- In Rare Move, Democrats Try to Block a Sale of Bombs to Israel - Mother Jones - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats Embrace Anti-Trans Athlete Messaging Ahead of Midterm - Newsweek - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Midterm history massively favors Democrats. But they are making a big mistake - Fox News - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Brandon Gill unloads on Democrats over illegal immigrant charged with raping teen: 'Collateral damage' - Fox News - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats running in key races supported Austin ISD property tax increases - The Center Square - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Dan Bongino: The cause of your problems is definitely the Democrats - Fox News - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats and activist groups plan to push back if Trump tries to interfere in midterm elections - AP News - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- House Democrats expand the map and the definition of a Democrat - MS NOW - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Pa. Democrats hold shadow hearing to discuss election integrity as legal fight over mail-in ballots wages on - WHYY - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Democrats to train tens of thousands to monitor polls amid election interference fears - The Guardian - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Is Kansas really in play for Democrats? Republicans are acting like it. - The Washington Post - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- The Data Dive: Kornacki on the Texas voters giving Democrats hope - NBC News - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Exclusive / House Democrats ready oversight of Trumps Balkans policy - Semafor - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- House Democrats pitch bill to save people from having pay garnished for medical debt - The Guardian - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Democrats seek to bar Otzma Yehudit from election as polls show continued deadlock - The Times of Israel - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Alabama Democrats have had a few good weeks. But political gravity is tough. - Alabama Reflector - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Are Texas Democrats Finally Reaching the Mountaintop? - The New Republic - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- How Democrats Are Rethinking Election Protection for the 2026 Midterms - usnews.com - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Congressional Democrats in Hysterics About Saving the World From AI - The American Prospect - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Democrats Ask Court To Force FCC Action In Political Ad Rate Battle. - Insideradio.com - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power - Los Angeles Times - September 15th, 2026 [September 15th, 2026]
- Obama Urges Democrats to Move A.I. Oversight to the Center of Their Agenda - The New York Times - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]