Hochul’s controversial pick for chief judge voted down on NY Senate floor

Senate Democrats finally brought Judge Hector LaSalle’s controversial nomination to be New York’s top judge to a floor vote. However, he didn’t have the votes needed.

Republicans praised LaSalle’s abilities before the vote and record as a judge, noting how unusual that is.

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said she and Gov. Hochul had a good talk about Democrats’ position. She says Democrats are scrutinizing nominees more than they would have in the past because of Trump-era decisions.

Stewart-Cousins says she and the governor did not discuss whether Hochul will change her approach to picking a nominee next time around.

What’s still unclear is what this means for Hochul’s relationship with the Democratic Senate Majority charged with approving her future nominees.