Wayward state senator not welcomed by Democrats fold

ALBANY — Incoming Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins appears to be content with the size of her majority.

The Senate Democratic Conference will not be embracing Sen. Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who has allied himself with the chamber's Republicans since entering the chamber in 2013. The decision to exclude Felder was first reported by the New York Daily News.

"New Yorkers elected the largest Democratic Majority in memory consisting of candidates who ran on a robust progressive agenda and proudly sought election as members of our conference," said Senate Democratic Conference spokesman Mike Murphy. "As such, we have decided to remain a 39-member majority.

"Of course, we will work with all senators, including Sen. Felder, to advance legislation that will help New York state prosper," Murphy said.

After Democrats wrested control of the state Senate away from Republicans on election day, Stewart-Cousins and Felder met to discuss his potential future in the conference. His committee assignments and staffing allocations for the upcoming session, which begins on Jan. 9, still need to be resolved, according to the Senate Democrats.

When the chamber was under GOP rule, Felder led the Cities Committee and enjoyed disproportionate control of the legislative agenda because of the narrow partisan divide. His strength in the chamber was on display in the spring, when Senate Republicans held up the passage of the state budget because of his concerns about education standards at religious schools.

Despite being vilified by many on the left, Felder easily survived a primary challenge in September.

Stewart-Cousins was more accommodating of the eight Democratic senators who made up the renegade Independent Democratic Conference, which formed a power-sharing agreement with Senate Republicans in 2012.

As part of a deal brokered by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the IDC's senators were welcomed back in to the mainline Democratic fold in April. Felder, however, remained with the GOP.

The former IDC members were viewed as traitors by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, who led six successful primary challenges against them in September.

Felder's office said he was "looking forward to caucusing with the Democrats at the appropriate time."

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87