Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters in a question-and-answer session after the state trooper graudation in Albany today that he cares more about the positions a candidate holds and their character than their party enrollment.

Watch Gov. Cuomo’s address to the press >> (TWC ID required)

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The question posed to Cuomo was whether he supports a Republican or Democratic state Senate or if he actually matters which party controls the chamber.

It’s a common question the Democratic governor is asked periodically. Cuomo again declined to endorse his party’s takeover of the state Senate, which is the only lever of power the GOP in New York controls.

But he indicated he wasn’t happy with Democratic Senate candidates who aren’t neccesarily in line with him policy-wise.

“I’ll endorse Democrats, I’ll endorse Republicans because I endorse people who I believe are in the best interest of the state of New York. Am I more in line with Democrats, generally? Yes. But that depeneds on my positions and their positions. There are Democrats as you know who say we disagree with everything the governor’s trying to do. Well, then you’re a Democrat, I understand that and theoretically we are both Democrats, but you oppose everything I am trying to get done. So, what is the point that we happen to share this political label?

He added, “The likelihood I’ll have more in common with a Democrat because I’m a Democrat. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to endorse every Democrat and it doesn’t mean that every Democrat has the same positions that I do.”

The comment, while veiled, mirrored what top aide Larry Schwartz, who told candidates for legislative office to “stay home” if they oppose the approved 2 percent cap on local property taxes.

Senate Republicans, who hold a 33 to 29 majority, have sought to portray Democratic candidates as opposed to the cap (though most incumbent lawmakers in the Democratic minority did vote to approve the cap in 2011, which was coupled with an extension of rent control laws for New York City.

Cuomo said he wants New Yorkers to “vote for a person” not a party label.

“I want the Senate that the people of the state elect,” Cuomo said. “I don’t want to tell a person in any district you should elect a Democrat or you should elect a Republican. I think part labels can be misleading. So to say the only thing that matters is whethera person is a Democrat or a Republican I think discredits the political process and demeans the candidates.”

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