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9 unusual facts about Majority Leader of the New York State Senate


Albert Lester

On February 12, 1847, Lester was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate, to preside during the absence of the Lieutenant Governor.

Clayton R. Lusk

Lusk was Temporary President of the State Senate from 1921 to 1922.

Joe R. Hanley

After the death of Perley A. Pitcher, Hanley was elected Temporary President of the State Senate on February 27, 1939.

Majority Leader of the New York State Senate

Following the 2010 election and the Republican victory in the Senate, Senator Dean Skelos from Long Island serves as both Temporary President and Majority Leader.

On June 8, 2009, Democrats Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada, Jr., joined the 30 Republican members of the State Senate to attempt to issue a motion to replace current Majority Leader Malcolm Smith with Minority Leader Dean Skelos.

Philetus Swift

In February 1817, when John Tayler became Acting Governor of New York after the resignation of Daniel D. Tompkins, Swift was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.

Timothy E. Ellsworth

He was again a member of the State Senate (45th D.) from 1896 to 1902, sitting in the 119th, 120th, 121st, 122nd, 123rd, 124th and 125th New York State Legislatures; and was President pro tempore.

He was President pro tempore of the New York State Senate from 1896 to 1902.

William H. Robertson

In 1874, after a constitutional amendment created it as a standing office, he was chosen President pro tempore of the New York State Senate.


Thomas Kirwan

Kirwan had a reputation as a "reformer" after a 2007 lawsuit where he and Democratic State Senator Liz Krueger joined together to sue Silver, former Governor of New York George Pataki and then Senate Leader Joe Bruno over the infamous legislative dysfunction at the New York State Capitol in Albany, citing disenfranchisement of minority party members of both houses.


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