NY state lawmaker meeting on social media devolves into shouting match: report

A discussion on social media use between state Senate Democrats in New York devolved into a shouting match among colleagues behind closed doors this week, The New York Times reported.

The confrontation, which was confirmed to the Times by three people who witnessed the back-and-forth, occurred between state Sens. Kevin Parker, a Brooklyn legislator who has served eight terms in office, and Alessandra Biaggi, who won a seat representing the Bronx last year after she defeated Democratic incumbent Jeffrey Klein in the primary.

According to the Times, the confrontation began shortly after Parker told lawmakers in attendance that those who make potentially inflammatory statements online should be aware that they don’t speak for the whole conference.

Biaggi is reportedly one of a number of legislators who have taken to social media to criticize those perceived to be a roadblock to progressive change, including Democrats.

Parker reportedly said that while some of the legislators were “used to being on the outside” and pushing loudly for change, being a legislator is different and requires colleagues in both parties to work together instead of attacking each other. 

That’s when Biaggi reportedly noted that some of Parker’s actions on social media, including a post he shared on Twitter last year in which he told a Republican aide to kill himself, could also reflect negatively on the conference.

In response, Parker reportedly began shouting and criticizing Biaggi. At one point she responded by asking if he was threatening her.

During the back-and-forth, the senator reportedly even removed his tie, throwing it down and declaring, “I am unbeatable,” appearing to reference any possible attempts to challenge him in a primary race.

He eventually left the room after two of his colleagues attempted to calm him down, according to the Times.

Several members reportedly condemned the behavior as unacceptable afterward.