» Cuomo backing McDonald — maybe even in November

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants two Republican senators who cast deciding votes for gay marriage a year ago to win their so far too-close-to-call primaries.

Cuomo, who heads the state Democratic Party, says he also may endorse Sens. Roy McDonald and Stephen Saland should they advance to the general elections against Democrats.

Cuomo heaped praise on Saland and McDonald during a news conference today. He called them public servants of integrity who cast courageous votes they knew could end their political careers.

Cuomo says he hasn’t yet decided on endorsements in the November elections. He has said he’ll support candidates he feels have integrity and who have helped him.

A count of hundreds of absentee ballots beginning Thursday will determine the winners of last week’s primary.

Heading into the weekend, Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione held a slim margin over state Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, in the Republican primary for the 43rd Senate District, which includes Columbia, Washington, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. An unofficial total compiled by the local boards of elections had Marchione with 6,815 votes and McDonald with 6,693, leaving almost 1,500 absentee ballots as the eventual decider of this razor-thin race.

So far, 994 absentee ballots have been received by the local boards of elections, with a few more expected to trickle in.

In the 41st Senate District, most of which is in Dutchess County, longtime GOP Sen. Steve Saland holds a slim 42-vote lead over fellow Republican Neil DiCarlo pending a count of absentee ballots.