New York’s senior Sen. Charles Schumer (D) endorsed state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) Tuesday for the open House seat in New York’s 9th Congressional district. Schumer represented the Queens- and Brooklyn-based district before he ran for the Senate in 1998.

“It is vital we preserve Medicare and Social Security, and the only candidate for Congress who will do that is David Weprin,” Schumer said in a statement released by the Weprin campaign. “Weprin is someone we can count on to stand up for middle class Brooklyn and Queens families.”

On Monday, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) gave his endorsement to Weprin’s opponent, businessman Robert Turner (R). Former New York Mayor Ed Koch (D) also endorsed Turner.

While the district has been solidly Democratic, Weprin led Turner by only 6 points in a recent poll.

Weprin, who comes from a storied political family in Queens, said in a statement that he was “humbled” by Schumer’s support.

The special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D) is scheduled for Sept. 13.

Roll Call Politics rates the race Likely Democratic.