BUFFALO, N.Y. --  Even before former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was indicted by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, he had a vocal critic in Western New York Democrat Mickey Kearns.

"I wanted to make a statement that I was not going to come back to the Democratic conference until Sheldon Silver left," Kearns said.

In May 2013, protesting the speaker's handling of the Vito Lopez sexual harassment scandal, Kearns announced he would no longer vote with Assembly Democrats. In January, he was among the first to call for Silver's resignation immediately following his arrest.

"I called for a vote this past session," Kearns said. "Not only did I want him removed as leader. I thought he wasn't fit to be a member of the New York State Assembly and I actually called for that in a letter to the Speaker."

Monday, Kearns got his wish. Silver's conviction automatically removed him from his Assembly seat.

"It's a great day for the state of New York. This is justice. This is justice the American way. He was given a fair trial," former Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino said.

Paladino was another one of Silver's most vocal critics. In 2010, while running for governor, Paladino now prophetically called him a criminal.

"I'm quoted as saying back in 2010 that we should put him in a cage and bring him up to our prison and let people poke at him a little bit to illustrate their disgust," he said. 

With Silver's departure, Kearns plans to return to the conference. It's something he's been considering since Silver's resignation as speaker.

"I was open to joining because I saw how much Sheldon Silver's role has diminished among my colleagues; however, yes, it will be a positive day when I can step back in and he's not a member of that caucus," he said. "Yes, it makes it a lot better for me."

Kearns said he does believe it will allow him to be a more effective legislator.

"Sheldon Silver blocked many of my bills which were good bills that could've got to the floor that could of helped people, like our most vulnerable," Kearns sad.

Kearns said he will remain an independent voice in the party even though he's returning to the conference.