ALBANY — A Queens state senator who defected to a breakaway group of Democrats said he left because of a lack of leadership from the mainline Dems.
Sen. Jose Peralta adamantly denied a report Sunday that he agreed to join the Independent Democratic Conference because he is having money problems.
“The reason I went over to the IDC is not about finances, it’s about failed leadership,” Peralta told the Daily News.
He said he and other members are frustrated that the leadership has not been able to win the majority the past three elections.
“There’s no vision,” he said. “No vision toward the majority, no vision toward issues that matter to their members’ districts, and no vision for working with the members to try and alleviate their frustrations and concerns.”
“This is about frustration because (the mainline Dems) are not moving forward on issues that matter like homelessness, affordable housing, education,” he said. “That’s why members are frustrated.”
He called a Sunday story on his credit card debt, child support and college tuition payments for his son a “deflection for their failures of leadership.”
“What they’re doing is making it personal, they’re getting nasty,” Peralta said.
He insisted he was not promised any committee chairmanships or stipends for jumping to the IDC, especially since those perks have already been handed out, he said.
If he does get a stipend, it won’t exceed by much — and likely would be less than the $14,500 he was getting as the Democratic minority whip.
Peralta sent a jolt through the chamber last week when he announced he was leaving the traditional Dems to become the eighth member of the Independent Democratic Conference.
The IDC is aligned with the Senate GOP majority. Peralta credited the IDC with getting progressive legislation passed like a $15 minimum wage and the creation of a statewide paid family leave program.
He said with the election of President Trump, it’s important for Democrats to get off the sidelines and be in a position to help fight his policies.
Peralta’s departure was a surprise given he had a leadership position within the Democratic conference and a close friendship with Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens).
Senate Democratic spokesman Michael Murphy in response to Peralta’s comments to the News called it “human nature to lash out when someone is uncomfortable with his decision.”
“It is unfortunate when Democrats do Republicans bidding by acting as their attack dogs,” Murphy said. “This is a crucial time in our country’s history when Democrats need to stand up and be counted against Trump Republicans, not enable them. The people of Senator Peralta’s district have a right to be upset and have been making their voices heard loud and clear.”
