SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — As thunderstorm rolled into the Electric City on Tuesday, Schenectady officials formally endorsed New York City Public Advocate Letitia James for attorney general.

 “I look at the progress that's been made here in Schenectady and I look forward to working Tish James in the AG's office, working with the governor, to continue to build this community,” said Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy.

James is in a crowded, four-way field for the Democratic nomination. But she's locked up key endorsements from large swaths of New York's political establishment. The Schenectady endorsement was a homecoming of sorts: James lived in the city while she worked for the Legislature.

“Schenectady is on the rise and it is the model going forward and it's something this mayor and this city council should take credit for and they should tell the story all across the state of New York,” James said.

There's no clear frontrunner in the race. James took aim on Tuesday Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, who has the lead in fundraising.

“Congressman Maloney is doing a great job in Congress and I look forward to him remaining in Congress,” she said.

Maloney is running for re-election in his House district as well as in the September 13 primary. A Republican-backed effort challenging his ballot status was dropped on Tuesday.

“He's got to make a choice and I hope he remains in Congress because his district can be turned red and we need to make sure that it's part of this great blue wave coming in the midterm elections,” James said.

Meanwhile, Maloney released a new TV ad highlighting his plans to block the policies of President Donald Trump in New York.

Maloney and James face Leecia Eve and Zephyr Teachout in the primary. The winner will face Republican Keith Wofford.