Democratic New York Governor Andrew
Cuomo has endorsed the re-election of state Senator Stephen Saland, a
Republican who backs gay marriage, prompting harsh criticism from
Senator Ruben Diaz, the only Democrat in the New York Senate who
voted against a bill legalizing such unions in the state.
Saland is among the four Republicans
who last year voted to make New York the most populous state yet to
embrace marriage equality.
Saland and Senator Mark Grisanti of
Buffalo won their Republican primaries, while Senator Roy McDonald of
Saratoga County was defeated. James Alesi of Rochester, the fourth
senator, retired.
“The governor believes that one of
the problems in our political system is the influence of extremists
on both sides of the aisle,” the AP quoted a Cuomo spokesman as
saying. “He is endorsing Senator Saland because he has
consistently had the courage to do what was right despite political
challenges, especially when it came to voting for marriage equality.”
Diaz criticized the move in an e-mail
to supporters, saying Cuomo's endorsement “makes our victory as
Democrats a real challenge.”
“You should know that the control of
the New York Senate will be determined by the outcome of the November
6th General Election for State Senate races,” he wrote.
“I believe that Governor Cuomo is not
only working against the Democratic Party as the leader – who as
the leader should be protecting and defending the party and its
candidates – but I also believe that he is working against racial
equality and minority opportunities by preventing Black and Hispanics
from gaining positions of leadership in New York State.”
It is the first Republican endorsement
for Cuomo.