New York, NY —

New York Democrats are tapping former Nassau County Democratic Committee leader Jay Jacobs to chair the state Democratic committee. Jacobs was elected at a party meeting in Buffalo yesterday. State Senator Malcolm Smith describes the new committee chair as a hands-on leader.

SMITH: Jay will stuff the envelopes, he will lick the stamps, he puts his resources where his mouth is. He is really a tactician.

REPORTER: Jacobs succeeds longtime chairwoman June O’Neill. He says his priority will be defending Democratic seats in 2010. Democrats hold all statewide offices in New York, including governor, attorney general and both US Senate seats. Democrats also want to maintain their narrow majority in the state Senate.