Politics

Updated July 09, 2009

Renegade New York Senate Democrat Reverts

by  

AP

A Democratic member of the New York Senate reverted, giving back his party its slim majority for the first time since June 8.

A dissident Democratic senator is back with his party after helping lead the Republican-dominated coup that shut down New York's Senate for more than a month.

Bronx Sen. Pedro Espada's return gives Democrats a 32-30 majority for the first time since the June 8 coup.

As part of the deal, Espada takes the title of Senate majority leader.

Espada's move comes after Democratic Gov. David Paterson's shocking decision to appoint a lieutenant governor to preside over the Senate, giving his party the upper hand in a chamber that's been divided 31-31.

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