Cuomo Directly Involved in Seeking Primary Foe for Felder

Spurred on by his own primary challenge from the left, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is directly involved in recruiting a Democratic candidate to oppose Sen. Simcha Felder in a primary, annoyed that the Brooklyn Democrat is providing the Republicans with a majority.

State of Politics quoted a source close to the governor “with direct knowledge” who said Monday night that Democrats are looking for the “best possible candidate” to run against Felder in his Midwood district. One declared primary opponent is Blake Morris, but Democrats are open to finding others who could run competitively in the Orthodox district.

The Cuomo source said that if Felder does not abandon the GOP he’ll face a primary with “the full weight of the party” behind it.

Felder declined to comment. But he is extremely popular in the district, and political prognosticators at City & State on Monday called the seat as safe for him.