Other prominent Republicans, including J. Patrick Barrett and Rick Lazio's campaign finance chairman, have endorsed Cuomo.
View full sizeDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo shakes hands with Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney after receiving her endorsement Wednesday during a visit to Ultra Dairy in East Syracuse. East Syracuse, NY - Republican Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney today crossed party lines and endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo.
Mahoney said that in her political career she has always been willing to support any candidate who would help Onondaga County move forward. She said Cuomo will do that.
Mahoney appeared with Cuomo at a noon news conference at Byrne Dairy's Ultra Dairy plant in East Syracuse.
Mahoney joins several other Republican leaders who have endorsed the state attorney general in his race against Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino.
J. Patrick Barrett, the former state Republican Party chairman from Fayetteville, is supporting Cuomo. So is Anthony Scaramucci, the former campaign finance chairman for Republican Rick Lazio's gubernatorial campaign, and Republican Assemblyman Joe Errigo.
Paladino beat Lazio in a Republican primary.
Cuomo also announced today that he was endorsed by the Business Council of New York State.
"“I am also proud to have the support of County Executive Mahoney. In the two years that she has led Onondaga County, she has already proven that she is a visionary leader who works across party lines to do what is best for her constituents,” Cuomo said. “I look forward to partnering with her as Governor to ensure that we jumpstart our local economies and create jobs for the people of New York.”
Mahoney said she has met Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, but he did not ask for her endorsement.
Mahoney was elected as Onondaga County's first female county executive in 2007 after defeating the Onondaga County Republican Committee's endorsed candidate in a primary. She has said that she has not had a good relationship with leaders of the Republican committee since then.
Contact Michelle Breidenbach at mbreidenbach@syracuse.com or 470-3186.