From left, Sens. Diane Savino, Jeffrey Klein, David Carlucci, and David Valesky. Of the four original IDC members, only two remain after yesterday’s democratic primaries. Several more of their former colleagues also lost Democratic primaries in their respective districts.
Thursday’s primary election saw the defeat of six former Independent Democratic Conference members.
These senators often conferenced with Republicans and shared in the control of the house, co-chairing committees and writing legislation with Republican colleagues. The group officially dissolved on April 16, 2018, but they could not withstand a concerted effort by progressive groups such as Working Families Party that vowed to return liberal Democrats to the Senate.
The former leader of the IDC, Sen. Jeff Klein, of the Bronx, who was elected in 2004, lost to Alessandra Biaggi, who served as assistant general counsel for Governor Cuomo’s Office of Storm Recovery. Biaggi won 53-45 percent.
Sen. Tony Avella, of Queens, who joined the IDC in 2014, lost to John Liu who has served as New York City comptroller and as a councilma. Liu won 51-46 percent.
Sen. Marisol Alcantara, of Manhattan, lost to Robert Jackson, a Democrat and member of the Working Families Party. The results were a landslide 58-36 percent in that race.
Sen. Jose Peralta, of Queens, lost to Jessica Ramos, a member of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. Ramos won 51-42 percent.
Sen. Jesse Hamilton, of Brooklyn, lost to former New York City Council Legislative Director, Zellnore Myrie, 51-43 percent.
Sen. David Valesky, of Oneida, lost to Rachel May, who must wait until absentee ballots are counted before officially declaring victory 50-47 percent.
Of the eight IDC members who ran for re-election, only two remain; Diane Savino of Staten Island and David Carlucci of Rockland County.
