Four years ago, Govenor Andrew Cuomo won re-election without the backing of one of the state's largest umbrella unions, the New York State AFL-CIO.

This year, however, is different.

“I know what the labor movement can do and I know that today more than ever we need the labor movement fully engaged,” said Cuomo.

Cuomo this week formally won the backing of the labor group, cementing a series of endorsements from union leaders in his bid for a third term and ahead of the Democratic primary he faces on September 13 against Cynthia Nixon. For Cuomo, the labor movement has been a show of political and voter gathering strength.

“The decline of the middle class is directly linked to the decline of the strength of labor unions because it is labor unions that built the middle class in this country and don't you forget it,” said Cuomo.

But in New York, the labor movement remains politically potent. Last year, union get-out-the-vote efforts were credited with the failure of a referendum for a constitutional convention.

At the same time, Cuomo is trying to channel some of the uncertainty for rank-and-file members of labor who voted for President Trump.

“Trump sensed the anger and the frustration,” said Cuomo. “Now we know Trump. He's from New York. He is a slick salesman.”

Nixon's campaign has pointed to the $64,000 in donations Cuomo has received from Trump, calling on him to return the money. Cuomo so far has refused, and Cuomo's re-election campaign has been bolstered by donations from labor unions themselves, helping him amass a $31 million war chest.

On Wednesday at the state fairgrounds outside of Syracuse, Cuomo insisted the donations play no role in how he makes decisions.

“I don't care if a person gives a lot of money or a person who gives a little bit of money,” said Cuomo. “If you are influenced by donors, you shouldn't be in this business.”

New York also remains the most unionized state in the country.