The Senate Democratic conference, now in the minority in that house- just got four seats smaller. A new faction of Democrats, saying Senator John Sampson has “failed,” announced they are forming their own independent Democratic caucus.

Senator Jeff Klein of the Bronx, who was recently stripped of his job as Senate campaign manager, was joined by David Valesky of Syracuse, Diane Savino of  Staten Island, and David Carlucci of the Hudson Valley. The four said said they can no longer support the present Democratic leadership of John Sampson.

“Senator Sampson has failed to move forward a legislative agenda, when he was majority conference leader that New Yorkers care about,” said Klein. “Now in the minority, I don’t believe he’s going to be able to make compelling argument why Democrats should be returned to power.”

The Senators offered a scathing assessment of Democratic leadership, saying they overspent their own budget by more than $43 million, while cutting aid to schools and the needy.