Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Cohoes) announced he will not seek re-election in the fall, becoming the third Capital Region Democrat to announce their retirement this season.

“I do think it is time for me to turn the page,” said Canestrari, 68, in his office Tuesday morning. Canestrari likened being majority leader – which he has served in that role since 2007 – to ”herding a group of cattle.”

Canestrari first entered the Assembly in 1989 after 12 years as the mayor of Cohoes, his hometown. Canestrari, a graduate of Fordham University for both undergraduate and law, has not yet revealed his future plans.

Canestrari follows Assemblymen Jack McEneny and Robert Reilly out of the legislature, leaving every Capital Region Assembly seat up for a primary (Assemblyman George Amedore, whose new district now includes Albany County, is seeking the Republican nomination for the new 46th Senate district).

Canestrari’s district runs along the Hudson River and encompasses a majority of Downtown Albany, Arbor Hill, and the South End. Rumored to be considering a run include Cohoes Mayor John T. McDonald, Albany Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin, 2009 Albany mayoral candidate Corey Ellis, and Watervliet Mayor Michael Manning.

With the retirement of Canestrari, this marks Sen. Neil D. Breslin as the “dean” of the Capital Region state legislature delegation. Breslin could face a challenge from Albany County Legislature Shawn Morse (D-Cohoes), who is said to be considering a run. Canestrari’s departure also leaves an opening for majority leader, which has typically been an Upstate-held post.

Assemblyman Joe Morelle (D-Rochester) has been cited by a number of Democratic insiders as most likely to assume the No. 2 spot in the Assembly (after Speaker Sheldon D. Silver).

Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Cohoes) has announced he will be making an announcement tomorrow at 11 a.m. regarding his “future plans,” according to his office late Monday afternoon – further fueling the rumor circling around Democratic insider circles that the Cohoes Democrat will join his Colonie and Albany counterparts in retirement.

Canestrari, 69, up until this point has been defiant – telling the Times Union’s Jimmy Vielkind that “a lot of this happens during a redistricting year when they think changes are being made, and it can be a time for members to leave. Certainly I have a lot of time in and am eligible to take my retirement, but I don’t do it. So that’s a consideration on my part, and a lot of this stuff goes on.”

His fellow Capital Region delegation members, Jack McEneny and Robert Reilly, have announced their retirements within the last five weeks. With Canestrari on the way out, this leaves State Sen. Neil D. Breslin has the dean of the Capital Region legislative delegation, who has now been in office since 1996.

Possible replacements for Canestrari include Cohoes Mayor John T. McDonald III, who declined a run for County Executive to focus on re-election as mayor, and Albany Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin, who’s ward is in Canestrari’s district.

In the race for the Republican nomination in the newly drawn 99th Assembly District in the Hudson Valley, GOP candidate Colin Schmitt received the endorsement from 2010 gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino.

“We need Colin Schmitt in Albany. He is the type of refreshing leader that will shake Albany to its core” Paladino said in a statement.

Schmitt, 21, is the founder of New Dawn PAC. Schmitt last year announced his candidacy to primary Assemblywoman Teresa Calhoun. Since making his announcement, two other fellow Republicans – Blooming Grove town supervisor Frank Fornario and Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey – have entered the race.

“Colin is the only candidate in this race that will stand up to the failed Albany leadership of both parties and work for job creation, fight for ethics reform, advocate for tax and mandate relief, protect our 2nd Amendment rights, and stand up for the defense of life in New York,” continued Paladino.

Paladino was the Republican nominee in the last gubernatorial election against then-Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo. Paladino, prior to entering politics, was a real estate developer in Western New York.

Albany County Legislator Bryan Clenahan (D-Guilderland) announced his candidacy this morning for the 110th N.Y. Assembly seat.

“We must remain true to our progressive roots and not sacrifice them for political or economic expediency. We have families throughout our community worried about the future, concerned about their long-term job prospects and protecting their retirement opportunities,” Clenahan said.

Clenahan has been in the county legislature since 2007 and was at the forefront of last year’s marriage equality proclamation. Clenahan, an Albany Law graduate, works as counsel for the New York State Senator Diane Savino.

“Elected public officials have an obligation to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and fairly, provide good and ethical government, fight for working families, and make sure our children receive the education they deserve. I look forward to ensuring state government fulfills all those responsibilities,” Clenahan continued.

Clenahan is the first to formally announce for the seat that is being vacated by Assemblyman John J. McEneny after twenty years. Fellow county legislator Christopher T. Higgins filed for a new campaign committee with the New York State Board of Elections this week.

As of today, in addition to Higgins and Clenahan, there are a rumored 10 additional candidates.

Albany County Legislator Timothy Nichols (D-Latham) announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly’s 110th District on Tuesday in Latham, pitting him against fellow Colonie Democrat Phillip G. Steck and Assembly staffer Kevin Frazier.

Nichols, who serves as Assemblyman Robert Reilly’s chief of staff, has been in the county legislature since 2005. Nichols was joined Tuesday afternoon by family members, friends, and members of the labor community.

“It is time, and I am ready. I am ready to put my experience as an Albany County Legislator to work at the State legislature in the Assembly,” said Nichols in a statement.

“For the last seven years I have served the people of the 109th Assembly District as Assemblyman Reilly’s Chief of Staff. I understand their needs, their worries and how best to serve and represent them. While the district lines may have changes and now includes Niskayuna and Schenectady, I am prepared on day one to serve those communities as loyally as I have served the communities of the 109th district,” Nichols continued.

Nichols is running without the endorsement of Reilly, who is supporting Frazier, an aide for Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Cohoes). Nichols also serves as president of the board of directors for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

In addition to Nichols, Steck, and Frazier, Niskayuna Town Supervisor Joe Landry is mulling a run. On the Republican side, Jennifer Whalen has declared her candidacy. Whalen ran against Reilly in 2010, coming within 600 votes of defeating the Colonie Democrat.

Al Gore would have had better odds playing MegaMillions than banking on Keith Olbermann saving his cable network.

Current TV announced that Olbermann, who was chief news officer for the struggling cable network, had been fired. Gore, along with co-owner Joel Hyatt, issued a statement saying that Olbermann “no longer represented their relationship.”

With Olbermann out, former N.Y. Governor Eliot L. Spitzer will headline the 8 p.m. hour. Spitzer, who co-anchored a ‘Crossfire’-style show on CNN with conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, would bring another former Democratic governor to the network. Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm hosts “The War Room.”

For Gore, Current TV represents an ongoing bleak spot in his otherwise remarkable post-presidential campaign career. Gore and Hyatt purchased Newsworld International roughly eight years, rebranded the network “Current TV” with the intention to be a more liberal, interactive counterpart to Fox News.

With the rise of MSNBC’s rise as a recognized liberal counterpart to Fox News, Current TV’s reputation hasn’t yet been defined. By bringing on Olbermann on last year, Gore and Hyatt hoped that the fiery sportscaster-turned-newsman would shore up their efforts.

The Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club, a progressive organization that saw a revival late last year, held it’s first awards ceremony on Thursday night, lauding elected officials, activists and organizations in the Capital Region.

“Politics is the glue that holds our society together,” said Judd Krasher, who was honored with the Next Generation Progressive award.

The event drew more than 100 guests, including county legislators Bryan Clenahan, Chris Higgins, Tim Nichols, Phil Steck, Frank Commisso Rich Jacobson, Joe O’ Brien, Noelle Kinsch, Assemblyman Jack McEneny, State Senator Neil D. Breslin, Albany City Common Council President Pro Tempore Richard Conti, City Auditor Leif Engstrom, City Treasurer Kathy Sheehan, District Attorney David Soares, Albany City Court Judges Thomas Keefe and William Carter, and others.

In addition to Krasher, labor activist Kathleen Scales, Sen. Breslin, In Our Own Voices, and John Kearney were also given awards. The organization, co-chaired by Matthew Peter and Maureen O’Brien, was founded in 1995 by now-Judge Keefe.

In the audience included many who intend to enter the primary to replace McEneny such as Clenahan, Higgins, Pat Fahy, and Judy Doesschate.

However, just like the Albany County Democratic Committee meeting on Wednesday was meant for McEneny, this night was reserved for the award winners.

Assemblyman John J. McEneny (D-Albany) announced Wednesday before the Albany County Democratic Committee that he intends to step down at the end of his term after twenty years in office, setting off officially the sweepstakes to succeed the Albany Democrat.

“Congressman McNulty made it 20 years and Senator Howard Nolan hit 20 years and now I have 20 years. I think it’s time to pass the torch,” said McEneny in front of the 600-member committee Wednesday night at the Albany Polish Community Center.

With McEneny now departing the legislature and Reilly going before him, the question now is official: who will now represent Albany in the New York State Assembly?

More than a dozen Democrats have staked claims to entering the primary, including county legislators Bryan Clenahan, Christopher T. Higgins, Frank Commisso, Gary Domalewicz, former Albany school board members Judy Doesschate and Pat Fahy,  deputy OGS Commissioner Joseph Rabito, Albany police spokesperson James Miller, and Family Planning Advocates head Tracey Brooks.

Higgins, who was at a Hudson Park Neighborhood Association meeting Wednesday night, issued a statement, lauding “McEneny for his service and fierce devotion to the people and history of Albany County.”

“Throughout his career, Jack has authored many different pieces of legislation that have improved the lives of those he served. I am particularly appreciative of his efforts to pass a residential permit parking program for Albany’s downtown neighborhoods where I live,” said Higgins.

Candidates looking at replacing McEneny will have the opportunity to interview with the committee in April, along with candidates looking at replacing outgoing Assemblyman Robert Reilly (D-Colonie).

Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari was present, stating to the Times Union’s Jimmy Vielkind “on the record” that he will be seeking re-election. Canestrari has been rumored to be the “third shoe” to drop in Capital Region politics, with the Cohoes Democrat looking at his own way to retire, according to sources.

The committee also decided to endorse Albany County District Attorney David Soares, U.S. Representative Paul D. Tonko, State Senator Neil D. Breslin, and Albany City Court Judges William Carter and Thomas Keefe for re-election. All are currently incumbents for their respective offices.

As anticipation of who will declare their candidacy in light of Assemblyman Jack McEneny’s impending announcement tomorrow night at the Albany County Democratic Committee’s monthly meeting, a former aide of Mayor Jerry Jennings and Cuomo appointee could be entering the primary stakes, potentially changing the dynamic dramatically for the more than dozen potential candidates looking at replacing the Albany Democrat.

Joseph Rabito, who currently serves as deputy commissioner for the New York State Office of General Services (OGS), has been cited by a number of sources as a potential candidate for the 109th Assembly district. Rabito, who served as an advance man for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, previously worked as the commissioner for the Department of Development and Planning for the City of Albany.

Rabito’s own appointment by Cuomo was mired in controversy, as Rabito was accused of playing politics as director of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

A potential Rabito run could significantly siphon already split fundraising dollars among those looking at replacing McEneny and Democrats looking at replacing retiring Colonie Democrat Robert Reilly.

With Colonie Democrat Robert Reilly retiring and Albany Democrat John J. McEneny potentially following him out of the chamber, could Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Cohoes) be far behind them?

Canestrari, 69, recently shot down claims that he, too, may seek retirement, telling the Times Union’s Jimmy Vielkind that “a lot of this happens during a redistricting year when they think changes are being made, and it can be a time for members to leave. Certainly I have a lot of time in and am eligible to take my retirement, but I don’t do it. So that’s a consideration on my part, and a lot of this stuff goes on.”

The Cohoes Democrat, who became majority leader in 2007, has been in the legislature since 1989. Canestrari previously served as chair of the Assembly’s Higher Education committee and was mayor of Cohoes from 1976 to 1989.