Several names floating around for next N.Y. majority leader

There are multiple names being floated around as to who will be picked to be the New York Assembly’s next majority leader.

Current Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes from Buffalo is stepping down at the end of her term, and some are asking if the next majority leader will be from upstate.

At the close of the past legislative session, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie got choked up when he recalled making a phone call to Peoples-Stokes asking for her support in seeking the speaker role.

More than 10 years later, he shared what she told him.

“She said to me, ‘go call everybody else. I’m with you,’ ” said Heastie. Looking toward Peoples-Stokes, he expressed, “Crystal – you don’t know what that did to me and for me when you told me you would support me for speaker.”

But, who will support him next in the majority leader role as Peoples-Stokes prepares for retirement?

She had these parting words for whoever is picked to fill her shoes.

“Whoever takes this seat, whoever the speaker assigns to be the next majority leader, I just want you to know I’m going to be watching you,” said Peoples-Stokes.

Since her parting words last month, a growing number of people are watching to see who the Assembly’s next majority leader will be.

Among the names being floated around is upstate Democratic Assemblyman John McDonald.

“Understand that the majority leader has a large amount of work, not only on the floor, but also in regard to helping the speaker bring the conference to some kind of surety on an issue,” said McDonald. “There needs to be consensus building.”

As a longtime member, McDonald says it’s nice to have broad representation in Assembly leadership.

“This is the speaker’s ultimate decision,” said McDonald. “There are many talented individuals that can take on this role. To be honest with you, we actually have a farther penetration of majority members in upstate New York now than we’ve had in the past.”

But, will McDonald accept if he gets the call?

“As I’ve said for every time, Carl has called me to take on a position. If it can help the Assembly, I’m happy to do it,” said McDonald.

At the speaker’s sole discretion and with no set rule that the majority leader has to be from upstate, is it important for the next majority leader to be from a district outside of New York City since Heastie is from Bronx County, and should the leader remain a woman?

University at Buffalo Professor Shawn Donahue weighs in.

“I think another thing that’s not a longstanding practice, but I think we may have to look at too is if you look at the Democratic makeup in the Assembly, it’s been growing more and more female,” said Donahue. “So, will the speaker also want to keep a gender balance between the speaker and the majority leader as well?”

Donahue has this suggestion.

“I would say go on the Assembly’s website and start at 100 and go through district 150 of the Democrats and see who’s in a fairly safe seat and also who has a few terms in their pocket,” he said.

The speaker’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.