Pedro Espada Jr.

Pedro Espada Jr. (born October 20, 1953) is an American ex-convict and former politician. A Democrat, Espada served in the New York Senate. Espada was at the center of a June 2009 power struggle in the State Senate. He was one of two Democratic senators who voted to appoint Republican Dean Skelos as Majority Leader. After his return to the Democratic caucus on July 9, 2009, Espada was chosen as Senate Majority Leader; he is the first Hispanic to have held that post. Dogged by scandals, he was defeated by Gustavo Rivera in a September 2010 primary election.

Pedro Espada Jr.

Pedro Espada Jr. (born October 20, 1953) is an American ex-convict and former politician. A Democrat, Espada served in the New York Senate. Espada was at the center of a June 2009 power struggle in the State Senate. He was one of two Democratic senators who voted to appoint Republican Dean Skelos as Majority Leader. After his return to the Democratic caucus on July 9, 2009, Espada was chosen as Senate Majority Leader; he is the first Hispanic to have held that post. Dogged by scandals, he was defeated by Gustavo Rivera in a September 2010 primary election.