New York State Senator Dan Squadron, who represents parts of Brooklyn and lower Manhattan, says he's stepping down effective Friday.

Squadron discusses his decision with WNYC's Richard Hake, which he attributes to his frustration over special interests that maintain a certain status quo in the State Senate. Squadron says, for example, that Democrats have been repeatedly denied control of the chamber because of "cynical political deals," despite winning an electoral majority in 2016.

The senator says he plans to launch a national effort aimed at state-level candidates and policies with a focus on next year's midterm elections.

"In this moment of real national crisis, in my view," Squadron told WNYC, "lending my hand feels like the right decision."