ALBANY -- New York's influential Independence Party is scheduled to endorse Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer. The endorsement planned for Monday by the state's third largest party comes before Schumer has announced his campaign for re-election. He has represented New York in the Senate for more than a decade. Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay calls Schumer a great national leader and a superior representative for the state in Washington.

This is the first early endorsement for the party. MacKay says that shows the strength of support for the state's senior senator among independent-minded voters. Comedian-activist Randy Credico says he'll challenge Schumer in a Democratic primary and possibly on the Libertarian line.