June 11, 2009

Latino-Black Rivalry Helped Fuel G.O.P.’s Takeover of State Senate
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and DANNY HAKIM


ALBANY — When two Democratic state senators, Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate, joined Republicans on the Senate floor Monday to kick off their surprise takeover of the chamber, almost every other Democratic senator in the room walked out in anger, shock or disgust.

But as Mr. Espada stood to be sworn in as the new president of the Senate, several other Latino lawmakers, all members of the Assembly, filed into the room and stood behind him, beaming like proud parents.

“There are over two million Latinos in the State of New York; they are looking to be included in a partnership,â€