Politics on the Hudson

Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, said this week that he has no interest in being Senate majority leader if Democrats take control of the Senate after this November’s election.

There has been speculation around the Capitol that Klein, who represents portions of Westchester County, would be a top candidate to be majority leader if Democrats win the chamber.

Yet Klein urged that he supports current Minority Leader Malcolm Smith of Queens for the top spot. He alleged that Republicans are trying to create dissension among Democrats by suggesting he’d overtake Smith.

“I am not a candidate for Democratic leader,” Klein said. “I am hopeful that I’ll be deputy majority leader. And as of this election, it is very likely. I support Malcolm overwhelmingly.”