Majority Leader Canestrari to leave New York Assembly

Another powerful Capital Region lawmaker is stepping down. WAMC’s Ian Pickus has more…

Citing sources, the Times-Union reports that New York State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari will announce today that he is not seeking reelection.

The 68-year-old Democrat has planned a press conference for 11 a.m. The former Cohoes mayor joined the Assembly in 1989 and rose to Majority Leader five years ago, becoming the highest-ranking upstate legislator.

Speaking on WAMC’s Capitol Connection program last year, Canestrari described his change in approach to same-sex marriage after years of opposition.

The Senate would later approve same-sex marriage by a razor-thin margin.

Canestrari joins fellow Democrats Bob Reilly of Colonie and longtime Albany Assemblyman Jack McEneny in stepping aside, meaning the Albany-area will have a host of new representatives in the lower chamber.