Primary Opponents Ask Marisol Alcantara Not to Join Independent Democratic Conference

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — The Democratic primary for New York's 31st State Senate District — which spans parts of the Upper West Side, Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood — was closely contested and the heat of the competition may be spilling into next year's legislative session.

The two losers in the race, Micah Lasher and Robert Jackson, wrote a joint letter to victor, and incoming state senator, Marisol Alcantara, in which they pleaded with her not to caucus with a rogue faction of senate Democrats known as the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC).

In the letter Lasher and Jackson stated that the IDC has deprived Democrats the majority in the State Senate, undermining the party's efforts on a state level and tipping votes in favor of Republicans.

"For all of these reasons, it is unconscionable to us that you would join the IDC, and we write to express hope that you will change course. You and each of us ran to represent the 31st Senate District on strong progressive platforms—and there can be no surer way to prevent progressive action than by strengthening the hand of the IDC," the letter reads.

Lasher and Jackson even invoked president-elect Donald Trump. The letter stated that Democratic unit is needed now more than ever with Trump taking office in January.

The IDC is a faction of Democratic state senators that have branched off from the main Democratic caucus and have decided, on many occasions, to vote with senate Republicans. The IDC has fought for Democratic objectives such as raising the minimum wage, but many Democrats have blamed them for failing to pass progressive legislature through the State Senate. In their letter, Lasher and Jackson cited the IDC's role in the State Senate's failure to pass the DREAM Act, which would extend educational opportunities to the children of immigrants.

The IDC is led by Bronx State Senator Jeffrey Klein and includes David Carlucci (Westchester and Rockland counties), David Valesky (Madison, Oneida and Onondaga counties), Tony Avella (Queens County), Jesse Hamilton (Kings County) and Diane Savino (Kings and Richmond counties).

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