Rep. Brian Higgins has added his name to the growing list of endorsers of Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice’s bid to replace Andrew Cuomo, saying she has the “the experience, the passion and the vision to be an excellent attorney general.”

The Buffalo-area Democrat said Rice is “truly a standout” in a field of “very impressive candidates,” and also cited his expectation that she will advocate on behalf of Western NY.

“Like the people of this community, she knows what it takes to stand up and fight for what’s right,” Higgins added in a statement released by the Rice campaign.

“She has the integrity it takes to reform government, the toughness it take on violent criminals and white-collar thieves, and the legal experience it takes to advocate for the rights of New Yorkers across the state. I wholeheartedly support her candidacy and I look forward to campaigning alongside her during the months ahead.”

The timing of this is, of course, designed to demonstrate that Rice has statewide support going into the convention tomorrow.

Erie County accounts for 5.54 percent of the weighted vote and is so far unpledged in the AG’s race. Rice has already passed the 25 percent mark necessary to get onto the ballot. The higher she can run up her weighted vote tally, the more of her opponents she force to go the petition route – or drop out of the race.

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