Westchester County Executive Candidates Rob Astorino and Noam Bramson Garner Endorsements

This story was updated on Oct. 17 to properly list the opening and closing times for Westchester County polling sites.

Republican incumbent Rob Astorino has garnered the endorsement of Animal Defenders of Westchester in his re-election bid as Westchester County Executive, the animal rights group announced late last week.

At roughly the same time, his challenger, Democrat Noam Bramson, currently the mayor of New Rochelle, rolled out his own high-profile endorsement from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.

Astorino gained the animal rights endorsement in part for his work with the group to help preserve geese that were being killed at the Sprain Lake Golf Course.

“In all our advocacy efforts the county, under the leadership of Astorino, has been receptive and gracious; again, this does not mean we've gotten all our requests granted - for example, they know we are vehemently opposed to the current bow hunt of deer in five area parks and we still urge them to implement the birth control program being used by Hastings - but they communicate with us in a timely and open fashion, indicating their willingness to discuss and consider our position,” said Kiley Blackman, founder of Animal Defenders of Westchester and its adjunct group Westchester4Geese, in a statement. “We always want more  for the animals - always; but at least with Mr, Astorino's office we have assurances that his 'door is open' for us, our causes will be listened to, given serious consideration and granted whenever possible. His office has provided a voice for the voiceless and for this reason we support his candidacy in Westchester.”

The gun control advocacy group said it was supporting Bramson because it believes that Bramson understands the importance of the issue.

“Gun violence affects us all whether you live in the city or the suburbs,’’ said Leah Barrett, executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, in a statement. “We need leaders who understand that this is just as much a local issue as a national one. Guns are just as deadly in Scarsdale as they are in Brooklyn.’’