A HALF-DOZEN state Senate Democrats are viciously stabbing each other in the back as they jockey to succeed Minority Leader David Paterson, Eliot Spitzer’s choice for lieutenant governor, insiders say
Sen. Tom Duane of Manhattan has been “doing his best” to block Deputy Minority Leader Eric Schneiderman, whose district adjoins his own, accusing him of being “obnoxious” and “overly aggressive” and, therefore, unsuited for the top leadership post.
“It’s clear that Duane is doing all he can to undermine Eric,” said a source with close knowledge of the situation.
“Eric’s a hardworking guy, and he can be tough to get along with, but Duane is snarky, sloppy, doesn’t work very hard and tends to be passive/aggressive – and many of the [Democratic] members are sick of him,” added the source, who isn’t backing a successor to Paterson.
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic insiders say, Brooklyn Sen. Martin Dilan, whose family is from Puerto Rico, says he’s the only “minority alternative” to Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson of The Bronx, who is black.
And Albany Sen. Neil Breslin is contending that only he can unite the warring Democratic factions.
The there’s Sen. Martin Connor of Brooklyn, who was ousted as minority leader by Paterson in 2002 yet has tossed his hat back in the ring.
The well-placed source – who knows all the senators involved in the power struggle – called Breslin “a nice empty suit who does nothing as the ranking [senior Democratic] member of the Finance Committee, doesn’t do any research or any work but loves to boss people around.”
The source called Hassell-Thompson “a little strange but with some real support” and said that Dilan was “impressive” but that Connor was “assured of one vote, his own.”
The Harlem-based Paterson, whose Senate term ends Dec. 31, may step down as minority leader before year’s end.