Joseph Spector, and Jon Campbell

The Journal News

SCOTIA -- The Republican presidential campaign trail in New York is making its way north.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas became the first GOP candidate to campaign north of New York City when he held a rally Thursday near Albany, reciting his major campaign themes to an enthusiastic crowd of 1,300 supporters in a Christian school gymnasium.

The other candidates are coming soon.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is heading to Syracuse on Friday before traveling Saturday to Rochester, Westchester County and Rockland County. And front-runner Donald Trump is set to visit Rochester on Sunday, according to Trump's upstate campaign organizers.

"We’re here because our country is in crisis, because we’re bankrupting our kids and grandkids," Cruz said in Scotia, Schenectady County. "Because our constitutional rights are under assault each and every day, and because America has receded from leadership in the world.

He continued: "And yet I am here with a word of hope and encouragement all across New York, all across this country. People are waking up and help is on the way."

Both the Democratic and Republican candidates are fanning out across the delegate-rich state daily, with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton riding the subway in the Bronx Thursday before heading Friday to Buffalo and Rochester.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nod, is expected to be in New York City in the coming days before heading upstate next week.

On Wednesday night, Trump announced his New York campaign organization, including Republican leaders in all 27 congressional districts and support from 33 county chairmen. New York has 62 counties.

"New York is my home, and I am so proud to have been able to assemble such an incredible team," Trump said in a statement after a large rally Wednesday on Long Island. "I have watched and known these people for so many years. They love New York and our country. Together we will 'Make America Great Again.'"

Rep. Chris Collins of western New York and Carl Paladino, the Buffalo businessman and 2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate, are Trump's honorary co-chairmen -- along with Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson.

Other Trump "chairmen" include Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning; Assemblyman David DiPietro, R-East Aurora, Erie County; Assemblyman Bill Nojay, R-Pittsford, Monroe County; and Dutchess County GOP chairman Mike McCormack.

The county Republican chairmen backing Trump include Chemung chairman Rodney Strange; Erie's Nicholas Langworthy; Monroe's Bill Reilich; Putnam's Anthony Scannapieco Jr.; Rockland's Lawrence Garvey; Ulster's Roger Rascoe; and Westchester's Douglas Colety.

Recent polls show Trump with a significant lead in the Empire State, with Kasich running second and Cruz trailing behind.

But 81 of New York's 95 GOP delegates are awarded largely to the winners of individual congressional districts, leaving Cruz and Kasich with hope of picking off a few from districts more favorable to their candidacy.

Cruz spoke at the Mekeel Christian Academy in Scotia, a non-denominational school a few miles from Schenectady, before heading to a matzoh factory in Brooklyn.

Outside the school, a few supporters of rival campaigns made their presence known.

Draped over a porch roof on the house across the street was a banner crafted from what appeared to be a bed sheet: “Hillary in 2016”.

Near the line of Cruz supporters waiting to enter, a pastor and a Cruz opponent argued over the candidate’s credentials. They stood in front of another makeshift banner that read “Go Home Lyin’ Ted,” a reference to Trump’s nickname for his GOP rival.

The pastor – William Mayhew of the Faith Bible Chapel in Millerton, Dutchess County – said later that he “believe(s) in Ted’s candidacy.”

“I believe we need somebody to take us back to the Constitution, which we’ve far departed from,” Mayhew said. “We have five unelected (Supreme Court) judges changing the moral code of America that has stood since its inception, and I believe that’s wrong.”

Soon after, Mayhew referred to his arguing partner as a “Trump supporter,” which angered the 30-something man, who quickly shouted back at the pastor.

“Pastor, don’t lie,” the man yelled. “I support more than just Trump. I don’t just support Trump. I told you I support anyone who wants to end political corruptness.”

Cruz stuck to his national campaign themes during his Scotia stop, garnering big cheers when he spoke of abolishing the IRS and his plan to "rein in the EPA."

When he spoke of the current vacancy on the Supreme Court, a man in the crowd yelled: "Don't pick Andrew Cuomo," referencing the Democratic governor, whom Cruz has clashed with.

"All right," Cruz said as the crowd laughed. "You've convinced me."