Jeff Klein's wild ride

Klein steps down as deputy leader of the state Senate Democratic conference, saying he can’t continue to support then-Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson.

Klein and state Sens. David Valesky, David Carlucci and Diane Savino break away from the mainline Senate Democrats to form the Independent Democratic Conference.

Democrats are reported to have recaptured the state Senate with a slim majority.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Klein announce a bipartisan governing coalition between the IDC and the GOP, ensuring a Republican-controlled state Senate. As co-leader, Klein will join the “three men in a room” meetings. Democratic state Sen. Malcolm Smith also joins the IDC.

Smith is arrested by the FBI on federal corruption charges.

The IDC expels Smith because of his corruption charges.

State Sen. Tony Avella breaks away from the Democratic conference to join the IDC.

The IDC announces it will seek to share power with the state Senate Democrats after the November elections, potentially ending the power-sharing coalition with Republicans.

The state Senate Republicans pick up three new districts in the midterm elections, gaining the majority in the chamber. Klein loses his position as co-leader of the state Senate.

Despite ending the power-sharing coalition with Skelos, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will include Klein in budget negotiations, angering state Senate Democrats.

Klein continues to participate in leaders meetings with newly elected state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan.

A 2014 wiretapped conversation played during Skelos’ corruption trial shows Skelos told Klein he would retain the title of co-coalition leader, but would lose many of the powers he had the previous two years.

Klein says Skelos’ comments are not enough to end the IDC-GOP coalition.

The 2016 legislative session begins. It remains unclear whether Klein will be part of the leaders meetings with Cuomo, Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie – or which party he’ll side with during the fall elections.