Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Party at the Ledge! Four State Dems Go Indie
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 5, 2011
Modified Jan 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 5, 2011
Modified Jan 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Just as Andrew Cuomo was getting ready to take the stage at today's State of the State speech, word came out of more confusion in the State Senate. We aren't in the midst of another coup, but four state senators have decided to leave the Democratic conference. The change won't be as dramatic as last time—the Republicans control ain't going anywhere—but it does give the troubled state party another headache to worry over.
To a degree. “Let me be clear: We are Democrats, but we could no longer in good conscience support the present Democratic leadership,” Jeffrey Klein (ex-D-Bronx) said at a news conference regarding the split earlier this morning. Klein is apparently the leader of the group which also includes Diane Savino, David Valesky and newly-elected senator David Carlucci (we think we'll call them "Jeffrey and the Three D's"). They just really don't like Democratic leader John Sampson.The quartet's new independent conference will still vote with the Democrats in support of Cuomo's agenda—they just won't "caucus with them formally or attend internal Democratic meetings."
Funny enough, in his introduction of Cuomo at today's speech Sheldon Silver spoke on the troubles facing the legislature: "Can we make this place work together? My answer is yes. Do we have the strength, the compassion to see beyond our differences and come together? Plain, unequivocally, yes. We can work together. We will work together." Sure we will!
Tagged
andrew cuomo
David Carlucci
David Valesky
diane savino
Jeffrey Klein
john sampson
ny legislature
ny state senate
sheldon silver
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
A new study found that nearly 2% of the city's natural gas is leaking into the air and causing climate pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
Because the vote against it was unanimous, here are your early links: Jacket weather, swishing your Guinness, spooky decorations in North Jersey and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
Because the vote against it was unanimous, here are your early links: Jacket weather, swishing your Guinness, spooky decorations in North Jersey and more.
By
James Ramsay
Hit-and-run driver arrested trying to flee to Uzbekistan after deadly crash, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NY measles outbreak more widespread than official count, health officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
A NYC judge brought his gun into court for an ‘experiment’. Now he’s censured.
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .