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Cuomo stumps for Mayer in Larchmont

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, made a pit stop in the village of Larchmont over the weekend to stump for state Senate candidate and current state Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, in her pivotal upcoming special election.

On March 11, in the village’s VFW Post, Cuomo, accompanied by County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, endorsed Mayer in her race against Julie Killian, a Republican from Rye.

The two candidates are competing for the Senate’s 37th District seat which was vacated by Latimer at the outset of the calendar year after winning the county executive race in November 2017. The special election is scheduled for April 24.

During the rally, Cuomo impressed upon the audience the importance of the Senate seat—which will help decide the fate of a slim, one-seat majority by Senate Republicans—and its national implications.

“In the face of the concerted federal assault from Washington, it is more important than ever that we have strong, progressive leaders in office fighting for our shared values like Shelley Mayer,” Cuomo said.

In April, Democrats will look to capitalize on Democratic resentment toward President Donald Trump which helped propel Democrats throughout Westchester County and nationally into office.

Killian responded to the event with a statement.

“I hope the governor is here to assess the damage from the storms and provide a real plan of action to help local families who are still suffering without power,” she said referring to two significant storms that caused chaos on the county in the span of eight] days. “In Westchester County, politics should be the furthest thing from the governor’s mind right now.”

Democrats are banking on another large turnout for this election to follow on the heels of Election Day last November, which saw Democrats win almost every seat in play locally due to myriad of factors, including discontent with Republican control of the White House.

For her part, Killian will be tasked with ameliorating a distinct Democratic edge in Senate District 37, which encompasses parts of Yonkers and much of the Sound Shore region.

According to the county Board of Elections, 37th Senate District’s enrollment numbers in 2017 favor Democrats by 28,000 registered voters—a figure the mirrors the nearly 2-1 advantage Democrats enjoy countywide.

-Reporting by James Pero