Malcolm Smith Inaugurated as Minority Leader of New York State Senate

Democrat Malcolm A. Smith officially took the reins as head of the Democrats in the New York State Senate last week on January 12. Smith represents all of the Rockaways, and a large part of middle-class southeastern Queens including Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Hollis, and Queens Village, as well as Briarwood and parts of Hillcrest and Forest Hills.

A real estate developer, Smith has represented Queens in the State Senate since 2000. He also was an aide to former U.S. Rep. Floyd Flake and the chief aide to former New York City Councilman Archie Spigner, two powerhouses of local politics.

Smith, many Democrats believe, has the potential to become the State Senate's Majority Leader after the next election cycle in 2008. Currently, it's a Republican majority of 33-28 seats. If the Democrats win the special election in Nassau County this February, the lead would shrink to 33-29, which would put Smith just two more seats away from controlling the State Senate.

• Malcolm A. Smith - 14th District [Official Site]
• "I need Craig Johnson in the state Senate" [The Daily Politics]
• State Senate Minority Leader Ceremonially Inaugurated In Queens [NY1]
• A biographical sketch of Sen. Malcolm A. Smith [Newsday]

• Who Represents You? National and Local Elected Representatives for Queens, New York