The State Senate Democratic Committee has dropped its support of Nassau Leg. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) as a candidate this fall against Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), knocking a second leg out of Mejias’ planned challenge against the veteran Republican politician, state and county sources say.
Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs withdrew the county party’s backing two weeks ago after Mejias refused to vote to change the county charter to allow legislators to raise their own salaries, which have remained at $39,500 since 1996. Jacobs said Mejias promised he would vote for the change; Mejias denies it.
The dispute has since escalated, with Mejias refusing to meet with the legislative Democratic caucus and then voting with Nassau Republicans to kill a Democratic-supported traffic fee. Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) responded by dropping Mejias from a key legislative committee.
Sources say state party officials take that as an indication that Mejias is not a team player who could be trusted on a swing vote.
Mejias declined comment.
Celeste Hadrick