New York Set to Regain Political Influence

Joshua Spivak: “New York, once a center of America’s political world, long ago fell on hard times. Where the state was once practically guaranteed a slot on at least one of the presidential tickets, it has been many years since a New Yorker was a real contender for the presidency. And the record in Congress has been even worse –- there the state always underperformed. But that may all be changing in a hurry. Former Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is the overwhelming favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination and now, thanks to the retirement of Sen. Harry Reid, (D-NV), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is the likely next Democratic Leader in the Senate. For the first time in decades, the Empire State may be a state on the political rise.”

“Schumer’s ascension may be the biggest break with history. For the better part of a century, New York was the presidential incubator. But the state has never been particularly successful in Congress. No New Yorker has ever served as Senate Majority or Minority Leader. It had one Minority Whip – the first one ever, back in 1915. Since then, no other New Yorker has served in the top two positions in the upper chamber.”