Flanagan set to be next NY Senate leader, sources say

Sen. John Flanagan is poised to become the next state Senate leader, Republicans said Monday.

Flanagan (R-East Northport) would replace Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who is facing federal corruption charges. Skelos is expected to step down from the leadership post he's held since 2011.

Republicans began a closed-door conference just before 1 p.m. Monday to choose a new leader. Flanagan and Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) each walked into the meeting saying he thought he had a majority of the 33 members of the Republican conference behind him.

 Midday, Sen. Philip Boyle (R-Bay Shore) said on Twitter than Flanagan had won the internal election.