Diaz Under Pressure to Support Smith in Senate

New York, NY —

New York State Senator Ruben Diaz Senior is under intense pressure to get behind Queens Senator Malcolm Smith's bid for Senate Majority Leader.

The Working Families Party, unions and gay rights advocates, among others, are hoping for a united Democratic majority to shepherd through Gov. Paterson's agenda.

But Diaz and two other dissident Democrats refuse to commit to Smith. In a flier to his constituents...Diaz says he'll oppose Paterson's budget cuts that affect the poor. And he reiterates his staunch opposition to same-sex marriage.

DIAZ: As a Christian, we don't believe in gay, homosexual marriage so because we believe in the sanctity of the matrimony.

REPORTER: Both Paterson and Smith have expressed support for legalizing same-sex marriage. Smith needs the votes of every Democrat to win the majority leadership post.

Diaz told the Albany Times Union this week that he doesn't think he'll support Smith.