U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is endorsing fellow Democrat Darrel Aubertine for the state Senate seat being vacated by a veteran Republican in northern New York.

Aubertine is a former state assemblyman in the area. He is seeking the seat currently held by Republican James Wright in the district that includes all of Jefferson and Oswego counties and part of St. Lawrence County.

During a press conference Monday, Schumer called Aubertine his point man for issues in central and northern New York.

Wright, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, is expected to resign soon to take a job with a lobbying firm that handles energy issues, leaving Republicans with a one-seat majority.

A special election could be scheduled for February.