Assembly to defy Spitzer on comptroller choice

ALBANY - A top Assembly Democrat said Tuesday night that his legislative colleagues were prepared to buck Gov. Eliot Spitzer and elect one of their own as state comptroller, despite Spitzer's written warning that they would be a making a “huge mistake.”

Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari said it was “safe to say” lawmakers on Wednesday would pick one of the four assemblymen seeking the position.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he was polling fellow Democrats, but would not say which candidates most members were backing.