In late 2009, Barron intensified his opposition to Quinn, proposing a "Democratic Reform Movement" with City Councillor Tony Avella to shift power away from the council speaker to rank-and-file members. Barron and Avella proposed electing a black or Latino member as speaker to replace Quinn. Barron challenged Quinn for the speakership but was defeated by a council vote of 48 to 1. Quinn then organized a 47–1 vote removing Barron as chairman of the Higher Education Committee.Also, Frank Lombardi, "City Council Speaker Quinn ousts arch-rival Charles Barron..." , "New York Daily News", January 21, 2010.</ref> Barron stated that the move to strip him of the committee chairmanship was racist. Quinn disagreed, stating that the Council needed chairpersons "that are unifying forces."Reid Pillifant, "Jeffrey Weisenfeld Gets Under Charles Barron's Skin, Too" , "New York Daily Observer", December 1, 2009.</ref> In January 2010, Barron ran against Quinn for the position of Speaker, and lost 50–1. During the vote, his supporters shouted "sellout" and "Uncle Tom" to black members who voted for Quinn.