Spin Cycle

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has told his conference that he will not seek re-election this fall, ending a 13 year reign as one of New York's most powerful elected officials, according to highly placed political source.

The Brunswick Republican decision will start a scramble for succession as leader at the same time the Senate is struggling to hold on to its narrow two vote majority.

Bruno, 78, a senator for more than three decades, became majority leader shortly after the election of Gov. George Pataki, replacing Ralph Marino, a Muttontrown Republican who has opposed Pataki's nomination.

-- Rick Brand.