ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State senator-elect Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat, says he'll sit with the Republican conference, further eroding the tentative majority Democrats won in elections a week ago.
Felder issued a statement Thursday after meeting with Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos.
He had said he'd join the conference he believed would best serve his 17th Senate District.
Republicans went into the elections with a 33-29 majority.
But last Tuesday, Democrats appeared to have won a 31-30 majority, with their candidates leading in two other races that will be decided by counts of absentee ballots.
Felder's move would even the field.
But majority control has also been in doubt since Election Day because four breakaway Democrats in what they call the Independent Democratic Conference have been closely allied with Republicans.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
