Democratic lawmakers said Tuesday that next week they plan to replace longtime New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D), who is facing federal corruption charges.
Majority Leader Joseph Morelle (D) will take over as interim speaker on Monday and lawmakers will then choose a new leader in an election on Feb. 10, according to the New York Times.
It’s unclear whether SIlver agreed to step down or lawmakers plan to vote to oust him. The speaker had agreed to temporarily delegate his duties to five other senior Democrats, but that arrangement apparently didn’t shake out.
Silver promised he would “not hinder a succession process” Tuesday night as he left the Capitol, according to the Times. But he said he would not resign his seat in the Assembly, even as he battles allegations that he abused his power to obtain $4 million in kickbacks and bribes disguised as income.
“I believe very deeply in the institution,” he said, as quoted by the Times. “I hope that they can have somebody here who can carry on the good work that has taken place.”
Silver has held the speaker’s post since 1994.
This post has been updated.
