As of this afternoon, the Lower East Side and other downtown neighborhoods once again have representation in the New York State Assembly. Alice Cancel was sworn in today by Democratic Majority Leader Joseph Morelle.
Sheldon Silver was forced to relinquish a seat he’d held for nearly 40 years this past Nov. 30, immediately after a federal jury found him guilty of corruption charges. Silver will be sentenced tomorrow. Cancel, the Democratic nominee, came out victorious in an April 19 special election in the 65th Assembly District.
Cancel will be introduced to fellow members of the Assembly when the session resumes tomorrow. She’ll serve the remainder of Silver’s term, through the end of this year. There will be a Democratic Primary in September and a General Election in November to determine who takes the seat on a permanent basis.
