Cuomo To Felder: Rejoin Democrats Before November

KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a letter sent to State Senator Simcha Felder urging the rogue Democrat to rejoin the State Senate's Democratic caucus in order to give the party a majority.

With the disbanding of the Independent Democratic Conference and Democrat Shelley Mayer's special election victory there are now 32 Democrats in the State Senate, Cuomo said in his letter to Felder. Felder, who ran for election on several party lines but is a registered Democrat, is the only obstacle in the way of a Democratic majority in the body.

Cuomo warned Felder not to "squander" the remaining six weeks in the current legislative session by continuing to sit with Republicans.

"We have approximately six weeks remaining in the legislative session, and I hope we don't squander the time," Cuomo said in a letter to Felder. "Public service affords us the opportunity to make positive change. I hope you seize and maximize your opportunity to improve the state for all."

Felder, who represents several Central Brooklyn neighborhoods, stated his intentions this week to continue caucusing with the State Senate's Republican members. Democrats had hoped that if Democrat Shelley Mayer won in Westchester County, Felder would provide them with the 32nd vote they needed to gain a majority, the Daily News first reported.

"Political gamesmanship must not be allowed to jeopardize the leadership, committee structure and staff of the New York State Senate," Felder reportedly said in a statement.

"I believe it is my obligation to prevent an unprecedented and uncertain late-session political battle that will only hurt my constituents and New Yorkers."

Cuomo urged Felder to put "political considerations aside" and join the Democrats. By giving Democrats control of the State Senate, the body would be able to pass legislation supporting a woman's right to chose, LGBTQ rights and the Child Victims Act — which are currently being obstructed by Republicans, Cuomo said. The Governor also predicted that come the November elections, Democrats will win a more substantial majority in the State Senate and "will not need you in November the way they need you now."

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