BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Bills Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has endorsed conservative judge and Fox News contributor Beth Parlato for New York's 27th Congressional District seat.
In a tweet Saturday night to President Trump, Kelly wrote, "my wife, Jill and I are supporting @BethforCongress for our district #NY27. Our daughters grew up together; we know her and trust her to stand for what matters most. She's a strong conservative/republican we believe can win special elec 4/28."
President @realdonaldtrump my wife, Jill and I are supporting @BethforCongress for our district #NY27
— Jim Kelly (@JimKelly1212) January 19, 2020
Our daughters grew up together; we know her and trust her to stand for what matters most. She’s a strong conservative/republican we believe can win special elec 4/28.
Responding to backlash on social media for tweeting the President and endorsing a conservative, Jill Kelly later tweeted, "When you tweet to support a friend running for Congress that you've know for more than 20 years and you get hate. It's called LOYALTY."
Upon launching her campaign last July, Parlato - a former Darien Town Justice - released her campaign video with the message "Our families are under attack by radical socialists."
The Kellys endorsement came a day after fellow Republican and staunch Trump supporter Chris Collins, whose resignation has set the stage for the April 28 special election, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison for an insider trading scheme.
Parlato will face fellow Republicans Chris Jacobs and Robert Ortt, who both currently serve in the state senate.
Jacobs was endorsed by Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard Saturday.
