“Whoever is choosing to run against him unfortunately, I think, they made the wrong decision,” Smith said.

Connor is facing a challenge from first-time candidate Dan Squadron, a former aide to Chuck Schumer.

On July 29, a number of other Senate Democrats endorsed Connor, and fielded a few uncomfortable questions from reporters--one about Schumer’s support for Squadron, and another about why they were rallying around Connor now, after having ousted him from a leadership role a few years ago.

Smith was in Washington, D.C., that day, and today didn’t have to face questions since reporters weren’t told about the event. An aide said Smith had expected to attend the original event, so he was taking this opportunity to announce his support.