Cuomo gets backing of business group, upstate GOP county executive in NY governor’s race

Cuomo gets business, upstate backing for NY gov

ALBANY, N.Y. — An influential business group and a Republican county executive have endorsed Democrat Andrew Cuomo for New York governor.

The endorsements Wednesday in Syracuse are key upstate wins for Cuomo, who faces Republican-Conservative Carl Paladino, a Buffalo developer and tea party activist.

One of the endorsements was from the state Business Council. That comes after Paladino’s economic platform appeared to be well-received when he spoke at the council’s annual meeting last week.

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney is considered a rising star in the GOP. Her endorsement gives Cuomo solid support in central New York, part of his push to win votes in Paladino’s upstate base.