Klein in Bid for Velella's Seat By JORDAN MOSS
Klein, who has been in the Assembly for 10 years, scored the endorsement of the Bronx Democratic Committee. The bid is an abrupt shift for Klein, who had already banked $1.2 million to run for state attorney general in 2006. Asked if his Senate campaign precludes a run for attorney general, Klein said, "Clearly you can never rule anything out. My priority now is getting elected to the 34th Senate District." The Senate seat can be considered a jump in prestige from the Assembly because of its larger constituency, but it also comes with a demotion in influence. Klein is in the Democratic majority in the Assembly, but the party is in the perpetual minority in the Senate. Still, Klein, who was elected to the Assembly in 1994, said he could accomplish things as a senator. Because a Klein victory would net the party a coveted Senate seat, the lawmaker said he would get "more funding for his district than anyone else . . . because they [Democrats] want to keep the seat." "I'll still deliver for my district and the district will be very well represented," he added. If he wins, Klein, who resides in the Pelham Parkway area, will no longer represent any of Norwood and Bedford Park. The oddly shaped district -- largely designed by Velella during redistricting -- covers neighborhoods in the southeast Bronx, as well as parts of the north Bronx including Woodlawn and a portion of Riverdale. It also includes communities in lower Westchester. Another Bronx Democrat, Assemblyman Stephen Kaufman, may also run. But he has alienated party regulars by indicating that he may also seek the Republican line. Egidio Sementilli, who ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2001, is also reported to be considering a run on the Republican line. The primaries are in September and the general election is on Nov. 2.
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Assemblyman Jeffrey Klein, a Democrat who represents part of Norwood and Bedford
Park, has jumped into the race to replace ex-State Senator Guy Velella, who resigned
abruptly earlier this month after pleading guilty to bribery charges.
