Democratic U.S. Rep. Grace Meng on Friday endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul's campaign for a full term, bringing the number of House lawmakers backing the governor to 12. 

Meng, a Queens lawmaker, joins New York Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Ritchie Torres, Adriano Espaillat, Carolyn Maloney, Sean Patrick Maloney, Gregory Meeks, Kathleen Rice, Paul Tonko, Jerry Nadler, Brian Higgins, and Joe Morelle to the list of Hochul endorsers. 

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Congresswoman Grace Meng, a champion for our AAPI communities and a strong voice for working people in Queens,” Hochul said. “Throughout her career in Congress, Representative Meng has fought tirelessly to expand opportunities for communities of color, young people and women, and secure resources to help local small businesses. I am proud to have Congresswoman Meng standing with me in my campaign for a full term and look forward to working together to build a brighter future for New York.” 

Meng's endorsement is a significant one for Hochul: She's the first and only Asian-American woman to represent New York state in Congress and was elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2016. 

“Governor Hochul has spent time in our neighborhoods, she knows our communities, and she has championed groundbreaking efforts to lift us up,” Meng said. “In both times of celebration and hardship, Governor Hochul has stood with Queens families and the AAPI community — fighting for safer streets, stronger schools, and a fairer and more prosperous New York. I am proud to endorse her for a full term.”

On the Republican side, meanwhile, former Trump administration official Andrew Giuliani was endorsed Friday by Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli, a former candidate for governor himself.

"I want New York State to realize that they have a candidate. They have a strong person that has the heart of this state, has the heart of all the people of New York State, not just New York City. He genuinely cares about upstate New York as well. He has the values, he has the family ties, the grounding and the heart of our constitution,” Carpinelli said.