ALBANY — A potentially powerful funding source, B. Thomas Golisano's Responsible New York, has endorsed 47 candidates in the upcoming elections for state Senate.

Among them are north country Sens. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, and Elizabeth O'C. Little, R-Queensbury.

"I'm pleased with that endorsement," Sen. Griffo said in an interview. "In my short time in the senate I've tried to be a very responsible senator."

Mr. Griffo pointed to some of the causes he has supported — initiative and referendum, open government, transparency, term limits on legislative leaders, an independent budget office, and a constitutional spending cap for the budget — adding: "I hope those are some of the things that are reform-minded and give the people the relief they want. I hope that's what (Mr. Golisano) saw when he looked at the various candidates."

Sen. Aubertine said in an e-mail: "I have not spoken to Mr. Golisano, but he has raised important points. We do need tighter spending controls, property taxes have to come down, the government must be more accountable and we need to create jobs in upstate New York."

Mr. Golisano is a billionaire businessman from Rochester and a former gubernatorial candidate. On July 8, he announced the formation of Responsible New York as a "multicandidate unauthorized committee" that would shell out $5 million to back Legislature candidates committed to reform.

"Responsible New York will support people who are willing to act for reform and not just talk about it," said Laureen Oliver, co-chairwoman, in a press release. "Anyone who supports reform will have our endorsement and our support."

The organization earlier this month distributed a questionnaire to candidates running for seats in both the Senate and Assembly, saying it would support candidates — incumbents or challengers — regardless of geography or party affiliation, who have demonstrated consistent desire for the following: property tax reform; a responsible budgetary process; campaign and election reform; ending unfunded mandates and government transparency.

Among the Senate endorsees are 20 incumbent Republicans, 19 incumbent Democrats, six Democratic challengers and two Republican challengers. The group made no endorsements in 15 Senate races, but said "further endorsements may or may not be forthcoming."

"Responsible New York is committed to a reform agenda and we will support candidates in any party and any part of the state that put the people first," said Steven Pigeon, the group's co-chairman.

The group said it will release its endorsements for state Assembly "shortly." All 62 Senate seats and 150 Assembly seats will be contested Nov. 4.

Other Golisano endorsements Monday in Senate races that could be close include:

■ Democrat Brian Foley who faces Republican Sen. Caesar Trunzo, in Suffolk County.

■ Democrat B.K. Keramati who faces Republican Sen. Hugh Farley in Schenectady County.

■ Democrat David Nachbar who faces Republican Sen. James Alesi in Monroe County.

■ Democrat Richard Dollinger, a former state senator, who faces Republican Sen. Joseph Robach in Monroe County.

■ Democrat Kathy Konst who faces Republican Sen. Dale Volker in Erie County.

Republicans hold a one-vote majority in the Senate, which they have controlled for decades.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.