It appears that Nassau County legislator Dave Mejias has been succesfully muscled out of a race for the state Senate against Republican Kemp Hannon. Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs was pissed at Mejias for allegedly backing off a promise to back charter revision that would allow Nassau legislators to immediately raise their salaries (Mejias denies ever making such a pledge.) This apparently didn't go over well with the Senate Democratic Caucus either as it showed them he "wasn't a team player."
The two had been at war after Jacobs said Mejias broke a promise to him to vote for a county charter revision that would allow legislators to immediately increase their salaries, which haven't changed since 1996. In retaliation, Jacobs withdrew the county party's support of Mejias planned challenge to State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City).
Mejias denied making any promises. Angry over Jacobs' actions, he said he would no longer meet with the Democratic caucus and Democratic legislators could no longer depend on his tenth vote on the 19 member legislature. He then voted with the Republicans to kill a proposed traffic fee supported by Democratic County Executive Thomas Suozzi.
That vote led the state Senate Democratic Committee to drop its backing of Mejias' bid against Hannon, we reported last week, because it showed he wasn't a team player. The state decision, as well as local Democrats dismay at Mejias' tactics, helped bring him back into the fold, sources say.
Show me the money indeed.
Now it appears that Nassau boss Jacobs is "giving" the Dem nomination for SD-6 to one Kristen McElroy.
If Nassau Legis. David Mejias wants to run for State Senate, he will have to wage a primary.
Jay Jacobs, Nassau Democratic chairman, said the party will be giving the nomination to Kristen McElroy, 38, a Garden City attorney and mother of three, who is making her first run to take on Republican State Senate veteran Kemp Hannon.
Mejias had moved into Hannon's district in time to qualify him to run, but was snubbed by the party leaders after angering Jacobs by withholding support for a pay raise for county lawmakers.
Reached Friday, Mejias said that he will not mount a challenge for the nomination, will support the party's candidate, and will "focus 100 percent on the Nassau Legislature."
I know nothing about Kristen McElroy. Perhaps, she'll be a fine candidate, one that can beat Hannon. I certainly hope so and am eager to learn more about her. But, this whole process smells pretty bad to me.
Anyone in or near the district know more? |
