Carl Heastie set to lead Assembly as first black speaker
Source: Crain's New York
New York Assemblyman Carl Heastie of the Bronx, a former budget analyst, is poised to become the chamber's next speaker after winning a Democratic battle to replace Sheldon Silver.
Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle of Rochester, considered a leading contender, threw his support behind Mr. Heastie on Friday. He joined almost all the New York City Democratic delegation, which controls more than one-third of the 150-member Assembly. Mr. Heastie, 47, would be first black lawmaker to hold the post, one of the most powerful positions in the state.
"I have the utmost confidence in his ability to unite our members and move the institution forward," said Mr. Morelle by e-mail. "He will have my full support."
Mr. Morelle has been leading the chamber's Democrats since Mr. Silver's Jan. 22 arrest on federal corruption charges. Mr. Silver held the post for 21 years before he was delivered a Jan. 27 ultimatum by his party to resign or face ouster. Cathy Nolan, an assemblywoman from Queens, remains in the race, though almost all the Assembly members from her borough are backing Mr. Heastie.
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