Congressional hopeful Dan Maffei has the support of one of the state's top democrats as he tries to unseat incumbent Republican Ann Marie Buerkle.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer tucked the endorsement of Maffei into a crowded Wednesday in central New York.
"What brings me here on a very busy day is just conviction," Schumer said. "The conviction that what central New York needs, what America needs, are people who are able to work with both sides of the aisle, in smart-thinking not too far right, not too far left mode. He's like that. His opponent isn't."
Schumer says he has a vested interest in supporting Maffei because senators and members of the House of Representatives work closely together.
"Almost everything I do in central New York I have to do with a member of Congress," Schumer said.Maffei served one term, in the 111th congress. Buerkle then won the seat in 2010 by a 567 vote margin.
Schumer says he's supporting Maffei because of his stands on the economy.
"I never had a better partner than Dan Maffei. He reminded me of Jim Walsh in terms of the dedication, hard work, and success that he had in bringing dollars here," said Schumer.
Also in the race for the newly created 24th congressional district is green candidate Ursula Rozum.