How not to elect a senator

Thanks to Daniel Squadron’s terribly timed quitting of his Manhattan/Brooklyn state Senate seat after the deadline for an open competitive primary, Democratic Party insiders will on Sunday pick their nominee for the Nov. 7 ballot, guaranteeing that man or woman a victory. Brooklyn Democratic boss Frank Seddio has suggested picking a competent placeholder who’d agree to step down next year, allowing a true open-seat election in just one year’s time. Seddio is no fan of democratic competition; it’s just that Manhattan insiders have twice as much say as his county’s insiders do.

Even still, it’s a good idea. We can’t believe we’re saying this, but: Listen to Seddio.