ברעיקינג: רעפובליקענס נעמען איבער סטעיט סענאט

Two Dissident Democrats Switch Sides, Give GOP Control Of Senate

Senate Republicans on Monday will replace Malcolm Smith as Majority Leader after two dissident Democrats switched sides, giving GOP control, CBS 2 has learned.

A media advisory released by Mark Hansen, a spokesman for the Senate's GOP conference urged: "Members of the news media should come to the State Senate Chamber in the Capitol IMMEDIATELY... An historic change in leadership is taking place at this moment and a new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate RIGHT NOW." 

According to CBS station WRGB in Albany, it was not immediately clear whether the resolution names Ruben Diaz Sr., Pedro Espada Jr., or Hiram Monserrate, though Monserrate would be an unlikely choice given his recent legal troubles. 

Smith was elected Temporary President and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate in January of 2009, becoming the first African-American Majority Leader in New York State history and the first Democratic leader in almost 40 years. 

Stay with WCBSTV.com for more on this developing story.