American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees of New York and Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000 will endorse Roger Cusick for Albany County District Attorney at a news conference Thursday, the union said in a news release this afternoon.

The endorsement will be formally announced at a news conference at 11 a.m. at the AFSCME office in Albany.

Meanwhile, CSEA announced its endorsement of Cusick today.

“CSEA looks forward to the election of Roger Cusick and a respectful relationship between the DA's office, the residents of Albany County and the workforce,” said Kathy Garrison CSEA’s Capital Region President Kathy Garrison.

"I am proud to have the endorsement of the members of CSEA,” Cusick said in a statement. “The support of this important organization is further evidence that the people of Albany County want a district attorney who will act with integrity and lead the right way. I am prepared to do just that and I look forward to working with CSEA to deliver on that promise."

CSEA represents approximately 13,000 active members and retirees living in Albany County.

Cusick is a Republican running on the Integrity Party line against incumbent Democrat P. David Soares, to whom Cusick lost in the 2004 race.

For complete local election coverage, including a list of all local races, a link to find your polling place and biographies and video Q&As for candidates for state and federal offices, visit DailyGazette.com's special election section at www.dailygazette.com/elections.