May 20, 2013 •
Cuomo Will Not Call a Special Election
Lopez will not be able to influence the selection of his successor
Governor Andrew Cuomo has another opening in the State Assembly, but he is in no rush to call an election to fill it. Assemblyman Vito Lopez announced he will resign his seat in the State Assembly Monday afternoon, and Cuomo has decided not to call a special election to replace the disgraced politician.
Lopez is resigning amidst allegations of sexual harassing his former staffers during his tenure. He had already lost all committee assignments and legislative perks due to the scandal.
Cuomo is refusing to call a special election because, in a special election, the political parties get to choose their respective candidates.
With Lopez’s district being heavily Democratic, the Democratic Party would be able to choose the replacement. And with Lopez being the former head of the Democrats in Brooklyn and with his pals still in charge, Lopez would be able to handpick his successor. Cuomo would prefer to avoid that situation, so he’ll hold the election with the regular primary in September and general election in November. This will allow any Democrat to have the opportunity to get on the primary ballot.
As far as Lopez is concerned, he does not plan on riding into the political night. Even with the recent scandal, Lopez is still heavily considering running for a seat on the New York City Council this November.
Photo of the New York State House by Matt H. Wade on Wikipedia.
April 26, 2013 •
New York Governor Eschews Special Election for Assembly Seat
Bronx voters to pick new state representative in November city elections
Governor Andrew Cuomo has made a bold move; a move he hopes will slow down the corruption emanating from New York City. Governor Cuomo has decided not to call a special election to replace Assemblyman Nelson Castro’s seat representing the Bronx. Instead, the election to replace Castro will take place during the regularly scheduled city elections this November.
Castro resigned from his state Assembly seat as part of a deal made with prosecutors investigating public corruption in the Bronx.
Cuomo decided against the special election as way to quell the corruption taking place the city. Had Cuomo scheduled a special election, the Democrats would have had free reign to choose the successor, because the Bronx Democratic leader, Carl Hestie, would have been the one picking the candidate for his party. In the open primary, scheduled for September 10, outsiders have a much better chance at securing the Democratic nod.
Cuomo said, “Having the election during the already scheduled New York City elections, instead of calling a special election, will ensure maximum participation from the constituents of the 86th Assembly District and be the most cost-effective for taxpayers.”
Photo of Governor Cuomo courtesy of Pat Arnow on Wikipedia.
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