New York State's influential Independence Party is scheduled to endorse Democratic U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer.

The endorsement planned for Monday by the state's third largest party comes before Schumer has even announced his campaign for re-election this fall.

This is the first early endorsement for the Independence Party. The party's chairman says that shows the strength of support for the state's senior senator among independent minded voters.

Comedian-activist Randy Credico says he will challenge Schumer in a Democratic primary and possibly on the Libertarian line.