via New York State of Politics

Republican John Faso on Tuesday was endorsed by the Independence Party, given his candidacy a potentially valuable ballot line in the battleground in the Hudson Valley.

“Hands down, John Faso is the right choice for Congress. We share his vision for this district and this country, and know he will be an independent voice in Congress working to fix the dire problems we face as a nation,” said Frank MacKay, chairman of the Independence Party of New York State. “John Faso is precisely the kind of leader we need to take on the status quo in Washington.”

The Independence Party has been criticized for having a somewhat nebulous party platform and has been seen as a source of patronage over the years. The party’s name itself has confused some voters who have been under the impression they are registering as unaffiliated blanks or “independents.”

Faso, a former Assembly minority leader, is competing against five other Republican candidates for the GOP nomination in the 19th congressional district, which is being vacated by Rep. Chris Gibson at the end of the year.

On the Democratic side, three candidates have filed for the race: Zephyr Teachout, Will Yandik and John Patrick Kehoe.

via New York State of Politics

From the Morning Memo:

Republican John Faso won the endorsement of the state Conservative Party in the 19th congressional district, a development that was quickly followed by a blast of criticism by his rival for the GOP nomination, Andrew Heaney.

The Conservative Party backed Faso, a former Assembly minority leader, over the weekend, in addition to the candidacy of Wendy Long, the Republican who is hoping to have an upset bid against U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer this fall.

“John Faso has set forth a constructive, conservative agenda to unleash private sector economic growth and bring jobs and opportunity back to Upstate New York. We know that he’ll follow through on his promises because he always has done so,” said Chairman Michael Long said.

“John Faso is someone the voters can trust. He will provide principled and dedicated leadership in Washington. The Conservative Party is delighted to endorse his candidacy.”

But one of Faso’s half dozen rivals for the Republican nomination cried foul: Heaney knocked the endorsement as essentially a back room deal.

The Heaney campaign pointed out the endorsement came without notice, interviews or a mention on the meeting’s agenda.

“People are fed up with the party bosses, retreads like John Faso and their backroom deals that Andrew Heaney will stop when he gets to Washington,” said David O’Connell, Heaney’s campaign manager.

Federal elections records show Heaney contributed $5,000 to the Conservative Party in October through his campaign.

The Hudson Valley House district is being vacated by Republican Rep. Chris Gibson, who is retiring this year as he plans a run for governor in 2018.