In what has been a quick turn of events after (now former) Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested by the U. S. Attorney we can say with 99.9 percent accuracy that Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie will become the next speaker of the assembly. Assemblyman Silver has tendered his resignation as speaker to take effect on Monday February 2nd at 11:59 PM.
As for candidates seeking the vacant seat of speaker which was down to 3, it is now down to 2 as the interim speaker Joe Morelle has announced that he is supporting the candidacy of Assemblyman Heastie. This leaves only Assemblywoman Nolan of Queens as the only other announced candidate for speaker. Nolans chances were weakened when her county leader Joe Crowley announced that the Queens Democratic County organization was supporting Carl Heastie for speaker of the assembly.
It is expected that Nolan will drop out soon to have a united assembly for new Speaker Carl Heastie. There have already been stories about the skeletons that may be in Heastie's closet, but I can say that I know for a fact that the U. S. Attorney's office sent in a mole to try to get something on Heastie, and couldn't. Do not underestimate Speaker Heastie, because as Bronx Democratic County Leader Heastie got things done. He also was able to work with those who did not like him when he became the county leader as was evidenced by last years Bronx Democratic County Committee meeting. Heastie not only was re-elected county leader unanimously, but drew praise from those who questioned him becoming the new county leader in 2008. It is expected the same will happen in the assembly, and don't think the Governor or Senate Majority Leader are going to take advantage of Heastie. There is always Heastie's good friend State Senator Jeff Klein for advice if things get a little tough at budget time.
