Jeffrey Klein: A Political Career in the New York State Senate
Jeffrey Klein is a former New York politician whose career spanned several decades of service in the state legislature. From his early days as a chief of staff to his leadership of a breakaway Senate faction, Klein played a pivotal role in the power dynamics of Albany, influencing legislation on public safety, labor, and commerce.
Early Political Career and Assembly Tenure
Before entering elected office, Klein served as the chief of staff to Congressman James Scheuer. He further established his political roots as a Democratic State Committeeman and District Leader. In 1994, Klein was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the 80th Assembly District.
During his ten-year tenure in the Assembly, Klein held several leadership roles, serving as the Chairman of the following committees:
- Subcommittee on Crime and the Elderly
- Committee on State-Federal Relations
- Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigations
Transition to the New York State Senate
In 2004, Klein transitioned from the Assembly to the New York State Senate, running for the seat vacated by former Senator Guy Velella following Velella's conviction on corruption charges. Klein won the Democratic primary against then-Assemblyman Stephen B. Kaufman.
While he considered a run for New York Attorney General in 2006, he ultimately declined to enter that race due to the competition between Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro. Within the Senate, Klein initially pursued the position of Majority Leader but later opted for the role of Deputy Minority Leader.
Klein secured his position in the Senate with a decisive re-election victory in 2010, defeating Republican community activist Frank Vernuccio.
The Independent Democratic Conference (IDC)
In January 2011, Klein founded and led the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), a group of breakaway Democrats who separated from the main Democratic caucus.
The political landscape shifted following the 2010 census, which expanded the Senate to 63 seats by January 2013. Klein's 34th district was redistricted—a process often referred to as gerrymandering (manipulating boundaries to favor one party)—to combine a majority white Bronx district with Jewish neighborhoods in the East Bronx and Riverdale.
Despite a Democratic victory on election night in November 2012, Klein and Republican leadership announced a power-sharing agreement on December 4, 2012. This bipartisan coalition allowed the IDC and Republicans to jointly control the legislative calendar, committee assignments, government board appointments, and budget negotiations. As part of this deal, the title of Senate President rotated every two weeks between Klein and Senator Skelos.
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Legislative Impact and Controversies
Klein was a primary sponsor of the 2013 New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (NY SAFE Act), which introduced comprehensive gun control measures following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
He also sponsored the "At Rest" legislation, which proposed that liquor sold in New York be stored in state-based warehouses. This proposal faced criticism from wine producers and smaller wholesalers who argued it would raise costs and primarily benefit large wholesalers, such as Empire Merchants, a significant contributor to Klein's campaigns.
On the labor front, Klein pushed for an increase in the state minimum wage during the 2013 budget negotiations, contributing to the wage increase to $9 per hour by the end of 2015.
Political Shifts and the 2018 Defeat
Pressure from labor unions and Governor Andrew Cuomo led Klein to announce in June 2014 that the IDC would rejoin the Democratic caucus after the November elections. Although Klein defeated primary challenger Oliver Koppell, Republicans regained the Senate majority in the general election, causing Klein to lose his co-leader status. Despite his earlier promises, the IDC remained allied with Republicans during the 2015 session.
In April 2018, at the request of Governor Cuomo, the IDC officially rejoined the Senate Democratic Conference, and Klein resumed his role as Deputy Democratic Conference Leader.
However, 2018 marked the end of Klein's legislative career. He was challenged in the Democratic primary by 32-year-old lawyer Alessandra Biaggi. Despite outspending Biaggi 9-to-1 ($2 million to $200,000), Klein lost the primary 54%-46%. Due to New York's fusion laws—which allow candidates to run on multiple party lines—Klein appeared on the Independence Party line in the general election but was defeated again by Biaggi.
Legal Challenges and Post-Senate Career
In January 2018, a former female staffer accused Klein of forcibly kissing her in 2015. Klein denied the allegation. The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) investigated the matter. While a hearing officer initially suggested dropping the case in 2020 because the incident did not affect government decision-making, JCOPE voted to proceed. After several legal attempts by Klein to dismiss the case, the Appellate Division Third Department ruled against him in March 2023. The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying In Government (COELIG) eventually closed the case in November 2025.
Following his departure from the Senate, Klein transitioned into the private sector, becoming a lobbyist for the New York City-based firm Mercury Public Affairs. He had previously been a partner at the law firm Klein, Calderoni & Santucci, LLP, but divested from the practice in 2015.
Key Facts
- Legislative Roles: Served in the NY State Assembly (1994–2004) and NY State Senate (2004–2018).
- IDC Leadership: Founded the Independent Democratic Conference in 2011 to create a bipartisan power-sharing agreement with Republicans.
- Major Legislation: Primary sponsor of the NY SAFE Act (gun control) and the "At Rest" liquor legislation.
- 2018 Election: Lost his seat to Alessandra Biaggi in both the Democratic primary and the general election.
- Current Profession: Lobbyist for Mercury Public Affairs.
| Period | Role/Position | Key Focus/Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1994–2004 | NY State Assemblyman | Chairman of Crime and Elderly, State-Federal Relations, and Oversight committees. |
| 2004–2018 | NY State Senator | Represented the 34th District; Deputy Minority Leader. |
| 2011–2018 | Leader of the IDC | Established a power-sharing coalition with the GOP. |
| 2013 | Legislative Sponsor | Introduced the NY SAFE Act. |
| 2018–Present | Lobbyist | Joined Mercury Public Affairs after losing reelection. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC)?
The IDC was a group of breakaway New York State Senate Democrats led by Jeffrey Klein. They formed a power-sharing agreement with the Republican Party, allowing them to jointly control the legislative calendar, committee assignments, and the state budget.
What was the NY SAFE Act?
The New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act was a comprehensive gun control measure sponsored by Jeffrey Klein in 2013, enacted in response to mass shootings and the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.
Why did Jeffrey Klein lose the 2018 election?
Klein was defeated by Alessandra Biaggi in the Democratic primary and the general election. Analysts attribute his loss to voter anger regarding the IDC's alliance with the Republican Party.
What happened with the sexual harassment allegations against Klein?
A former staffer accused Klein of a forced kiss in 2015. Despite various legal attempts by Klein to have the investigation dismissed, the case continued through JCOPE and was eventually closed by the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying In Government (COELIG) in November 2025.
What is Jeffrey Klein's current profession?
After leaving the New York State Senate in 2018, Jeffrey Klein became a lobbyist for the New York City-based firm Mercury Public Affairs.