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.