Governor announces April 19 special election for empty state seats left by Silver, Skelos

NEW YORK -- ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says a special election to fill state Assembly and Senate seats vacated after corruption convictions will take place on April 19.

Cuomo says Saturday the date coincides with the presidential primary in New York and was picked to maximize voter turnout.

Sheldon Silver was forced from the Manhattan Assembly seat he represented for 20 years after the Democrat was convicted in December on corruption charges.

A week later ex-Senate Leader Dean Skelos was convicted along with his son on charges the Long Island Republican used his job to extort benefits for his son.

In Staten Island, voters will also fill a currently vacant Assembly seat.

Since 2000, more than 30 lawmakers have left office after facing criminal charges or allegations of misconduct.