Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ becoming the first woman to lead a legislative conference in Albany is “exciting,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a news conference.

Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, who will meet with the governor here in Albany this afternoon, garnered the majority of the support from her Democratic colleagues on Monday to oust Sen. John Sampson of Brooklyn.

“I think it’s exciting that Democrats have picked the first woman leader,” Cuomo said. “I know Andrea, I know her well, I’ve supported her for a long time. I think she’s a very compotent, able woman.”

Democrats will have a numerical majority of at least 32 come January, but one Democrat, Brooklyn’s Simcha Felder, will sit with the GOP conference. The Independent Democratic Conference of five lawmakers have formed a governing coalition with the Senate Republicans as well.

IDC Leader Jeff Klein this afternoon also reacted to the news of Stewart-Cousins being elevated to the post, sending his “sincere congratulations” but also reiterating that the coalition remains intact.

“On behalf of the Independent Democratic Conference, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. IDC members welcome the election of a leader in the Senate Democratic Conference and look forward to working with Senator Stewart-Cousins in the new coalition government.”

Share|