ALBANY, N.Y. — The Republican leader of the state Senate survived a largely symbolic effort by Democratic lawmakers to oust him from his position Wednesday following his arrest on federal corruption charges.
Democratic lawmakers walked out of the Senate in protest after Republicans refused to allow a vote on their motion to remove Dean Skelos as Senate majority leader, the Associated Press reported.
Skelos, of Long Island, faces charges he traded his influence for more than $200,000 in payments from a real estate firm and an environmental technology business that went to his 32-year-old son, Adam Skelos, who is also charged in the case. Both say they are innocent.
“I don’t think there was any point in participating in this charade,” Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Queens, told reporters after he left the Senate chambers. “Let’s have a vote. Let the people of New York know where you stand.”
Skelos, 67, has vowed to stay on as leader while he fights the charges, but support among his fellow Republicans appears to be wavering. The Republican conference announced Monday that it would keep Skelos as leader; since then, however, more Republican officials have publicly called for him to step down.
On Wednesday, Erie County Republican Chairman Nicholas Langworthy and Suffolk County Republican Chairman John Jay LaValle said Skelos needs to relinquish control of the Senate. LaValle’s comments are especially notable as they come from another Long Island GOP leader.
“The Senate Majority Leader is the highest ranking Republican in New York State. He stands accused of very disturbing and serious public corruption crimes. His ability to be a leader of the State Senate and of our Republican Party has ended,” Langworthy said in a statement released Wednesday. “Dean Skelos should resign immediately as Senate Majority Leader. Until he does so, the dark cloud over him will be a barrier to any important work that the senate majority needs to accomplish in the final weeks. Leadership means knowing when it’s time to step aside. That time is now.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, also issued a statement Wednesday indicating that he will support, “with a heavy heart,” a motion or may submit one of his own to have Skelos replaced as Majority Leader.
“The Senate Conference is bigger than one individual. We have critical issues facing us in New York, and we need a leader who can effectively advocate for Upstate New York without the cloud surrounding the current Senate leadership,” Ortt said.
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