Hamilton joins IDC as election shakeup looms
Breakaway Dems have decision to make on power sharing
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton’s surprise announcement on Monday that he has decided to join a group of breakaway Democrats in the State Senate will give the band of political mavericks some added clout in the legislative chamber, according to political observers.
The Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), led by state Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx-parts of Westchester), now has seven members with the addition of Hamilton (D-Crown Heights-Park Slope, Sunset Park).
State Sen. Diane Savino (D-Coney Island-parts of Bensonhurst-Staten Island) is a founding member of the IDC. The group was formed in 2011 when the small group of Democrats expressed dismay with the political agenda of fellow Democrats in the State Senate.