Morelle Exits Assembly Speaker Race, Backs Heastie

Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle is dropping out of the race for the speakership and is throwing his support behind Assemblyman Carl Heastie, who is increasingly looking like a shoo-in to replace Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Morelle is expected to continue as majority leader, at least if Heastie becomes speaker.

“Over the past several days Assemblyman Heastie and I have discussed at length how to advance the best interests of the citizens of our state by making the New York Assembly more inclusive and member-driven," Morelle said in a statement. "Carl and I have served together and have been close friends for 15 years. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to unite our members and move the institution forward. He will have my full support."

In a statement sent out shortly after Morelle's announcement, Heastie said that he appreciated the support and that he would ask the Assembly majority leader to continue in his current role but with expanded responsibilities.

“In the days and months ahead, I will continue to rely on his counsel," Heastie said. "I have asked Joe to remain as the Majority Leader and to play a greater role in that capacity. Joe and I, along with our very talented colleagues in the Democratic conference, will work hard every day to build consensus, enact meaningful new reforms, and create opportunity for all New Yorkers."

Morelle is the third candidate to suddenly drop out the race since Tuesday. Assemblyman Keith Wright was considered an early frontrunner for the position after having called for Silver’s resignation early on, but was pushed out the race Wednesday night. Assemblyman Joe Lentol dropped out of the race Thursday evening.

Shortly before Morelle's announcement, sources told City & State that he would leave the race. Reached by phone Friday morning, Morelle had told City & State's Gerson Borrero that he could neither confirm nor deny that he would drop out but that he was discussing his candidacy with colleagues. 

Heastie now looks to be the clear successor to Silver, who is set to leave the leadership post on Monday. Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan is also running for the position, but has not amassed the support that Heastie has.

Morelle, who was set to be the interim speaker until an official Feb. 10 vote, had the support of the Cuomo administration for speakership but faced a disadvantage as an upstate lawmaker in a conference with a much larger number of downstate members.