State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs ramped up his hits on Steve Levy’ “Republican conversion” today, comparing him to Pedro Espada – who joined forces with the state GOP in a Senate coup that stalled government last year.

Levy’s move “reeks of the worst kind of political opportunism. Levy’s cynical political ploy is no different than when Senator Pedro Espada abandoned his Democratic colleagues last summer in a blatant power grab.”

He added: “I have news for Mr. Levy: feel free to sell out your convictions for a chance at the GOP line, but don’t expect the Democratic Party to take you back when it doesn’t work out.”

It’s as vocal as Jacobs has been proactively since he was appointed to his post by Gov. Paterson. He was criticized by many Bill Thompson supporters during the mayoral 2009 race, who saw him as doing little to help the Democrat against Mayor Bloomberg.