NEW YORK (AP) — The leader of a faction of breakaway Democrats in New York’s state Senate has survived a primary challenge from a former state lawmaker
Sen. Jeff Klein defeated Oliver Koppell in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary for the 34th Senate District, which includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester County.
Koppell is a former assemblyman, attorney general and New York City Council member. He had argued that Klein betrayed traditional Democrats by aligning his five-member Independent Democratic Conference with Republicans to take control of the Senate.
In June, under pressure from Democrats and the threat of primary challenges, Klein promised to end the power-sharing arrangement.
Klein had cited his support for full-day kindergarten, gun control and a higher minimum wage.
