The following is an expanded version of the third item from my “Albany Insider” column from Monday’s print editions:
The Westchester County Independence Party has endorsed Senate Democratic candidate Shelley Mayer over Republican Julie Killian in a key April 24 special election that could determine which party controls the chamber.
The minor party just two years ago endorsed Killian’s failed run against incumbent Democrat George Latimer, who resigned in January to become Westchester County executive. Killian picked up 1,809 votes on the Independence Party line in that race, which she lost by 11 percentage points.
The endorsement of Mayer has raised questions about whether the state Independence Party, which has been close to Senate Republicans in previous years, is getting set to abandon them as the battle for control of the Senate heats up.
The minor party is also close to Gov. Cuomo, a Democrat whose reelection it has already backed, and a breakaway group of eight Senate Democrats, both of whom say they are committed to winning the open Westchester County seat to help the Dems regain control of the chamber.
State Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay could not be reached for comment.
State Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif downplayed the Westchester County Independence Party’s endorsement of Mayer by attacking the Democrat’s support as an assemblywoman of then-Speaker Sheldon Silver’s admitted mishandling of sexual harassment cases and her record as a former Senate Democratic counsel.
“Shelley Mayer isn’t independent, she’s the ultimate Albany insider,” Reif said.
Senate Democratic spokesman Mike Murphy tried to tie Killian and the Senate Republicans to President Trump.
“On April 24, Westchester and Shelley Mayer will send a message that the divisive politics of Trump have no place in the New York Senate,” Murphy said. “The impressive groundswell of support continues to build and is proof that Shelley Mayer is the right candidate that will deliver for residents of the 37th Senate District.
