JENNINGS DEFENDS HIS TURF IN RACES.(MAIN)

Byline: ELIZABETH BENJAMIN Capitol bureau

Albany The fragile detente among Albany's top Democrats is over.

Mayor Jerry Jennings's attempt to change the way City Court judges are elected has reignited his old political feud with state Sen. Neil Breslin and his brother, County Executive Michael Breslin.

Jennings insists his goal is to protect two incumbent judges -- an African-American and a woman. The bill also happens to hurt the judicial candidacy of frequent Jennings critic Thomas Keefe, who the Breslins endorse.

But what seemed a small local matter has grown into a political maelstrom. It also has upset some black leaders who bristle at the suggestion that an African-American judge needs extra help to get re-elected.

Some political observers suggest Jennings' real aim to to influence the Democratic gubernatorial …