Scozzafava loses GOP leadership post

New York’s Republican Assembly minority leader, Brian Kolb, today announced that he is punishing Dede Scozzafava for her decision to back a Democrat in last week’s NY-23 special election.

Here’s the statement released by Kolb:

“Today, I had a thorough and frank discussion with Assemblywoman Scozzafava. As a result, Dede has tendered, and I accepted, her resignation as our Conference’s Leader Pro Tempore. Over the coming weeks, I will be assessing who will serve as our Conference’s next Leader Pro Tempore to lead our Assembly floor debates.”

This is a significant blow to Scozzafava, costing her financially as well as in terms of prestige and influence.

She was the first woman in the history of the Assembly to hold the leadership spot.

The New York Daily News questions whether Scozzafava will continue to caucus with Republicans, or indeed if she will seek re-election in 2010.

NCPR has attempted to contact Assemblywoman Scozzafava through the day. We’ll bring you her perspectives on this as soon as possible.