A local state lawmaker has picked up Governor Cuomo's backing in his re-election efforts.
State Senator Ted O'Brien picked up the endorsement Friday from both Cuomo and his Lieutenant Governor running mate Kathy Hochul. O'Brien faces Republican Rich Funke in his effort to retain his 55th district state senate seat.
Democrats endorsing another Democrat wouldn't normally be big news, but there is an added twist this year since Cuomo has promised to push for Democrats to get elected this fall to the state senate. The balance of power in that body is one of the more closely watched statewide events in the November elections. Right now the state senate is controlled by Republicans and a group of breakaway Democrats.
More than four months ago, Cuomo promised to push for Democrats to control the senate as part of a deal for his picking up the endorsement of the Working Families Party.
Since that time, Cuomo had been relatively quiet on making endorsements, but in recent days he has issued endorsements in competitive races.
However those endorsements have generally been by press release as opposed to making personal appearances. Hochul was in Rochester Friday where she also attended a meeting of the Ibero-American Action League
