BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE
GOP uncertain as Rep. Chris Collins ends re-election bid
NEW YORK
U.S. Rep. Chris Collins ended his re-election bid Saturday, days after his indictment on insider trading charges, a move that raised questions about how the Republican Party might replace him with another nominee in one of New York's most conservative districts.
The move came after Collins had defiantly said he would forge ahead with his campaign, even after he was indicted on charges he had passed inside information about a biotechnology company to family members so they could profit from illicit trades.
But Collins reversed himself Saturday. "I have decided that it is in the best interests of the constituents of NY-27, the Republican Party and President Donald Trump's agenda for me to suspend my campaign for re-election to Congress," his statement said.
He went on to say he will fill out his term and "continue to fight the meritless charges brought against me." He has denied any wrongdoing.
Collins' decision to end his re-election bid appeared to boost Democrats' chances of taking in a solidly Republican district, but the announcement left unanswered questions including how Collins' name could be removed from the ballot. Attempts for answers from Republican Party officials went unanswered even as the Democratic nominee, Nate McMurray, called for his opponent's resignation.
"I don't know what they're going to do," McMurray told The Associated Press when asked about the fallout on Saturday. "The whole situation is bizarre, but I welcome it."
McMurray, a supervisor for the town of Grand Island in western New York, said he was "ecstatic" over a sudden interest in his campaign from a Democratic establishment looking to regain a majority in Congress that he felt he "should have been there all along."
In an earlier statement, McMurray had said it is "a continuing disgrace that both parties have not said, with one clear voice, 'Resign, Mr. Collins, and do it today."
Wednesday's indictment charges Collins and two others, including his son, with conspiracy, wire fraud and other counts.
Prosecutors say the charges relate to a scheme to gain insider information about a biotechnology company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Auckland, New Zealand.
It is unclear whether Collins' name can be removed from the November ballot at this point and whether Republican Party officials will be able to nominate another candidate for the seat.
Under New York state election law, Collins' name could be taken off the ballot under certain narrowly defined circumstances that include death, disqualification or being nominated for a different office such as a county clerkship.
Jessica Proud, a spokeswoman for the New York state Republican Party, said party officials are weighing their options. She said no decision has been made about a possible replacement for Collins on the ballot — if they are able to replace him.
Stefan Mychajliw, the Erie County comptroller, released a statement putting his name forward for the ballot spot and said he hoped to earn the support of county Republican officials in the district.
The district spans an area between the Rochester and Buffalo suburbs and is considering the most Republican-leaning district in New York. The race had not been considered competitive by many observers, including those predicting a "blue wave" that gives Democrats control of the House.
The area backed Trump over Hillary Clinton by nearly 25 percentage points in 2016, when Collins beat his Democratic challenger by more than 2-1.
Collins was an early supporter of Trump's presidential campaign and has been one of Trump's most ardent defenders. In his statement Saturday, Collins warned of Democrats winning the House in the midterm elections "and then launching impeachment proceedings against President Trump."
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Saturday that Collins should resign immediately.
"No person is above the law, not the president or his first supporter in Congress," Pelosi said. "This insufficient and overdue announcement does little to drain the toxic cesspool of self-enrichment, special interest deals and corruption that has proliferated in Washington under GOP control. "
FILE - This Aug. 8, 2018 file photo shows Republican U.S. Rep. Christopher Collins as he leaves federal court in New York. In an about-face, Collins says he will suspend his re-election campaign after insider-trading indictment. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) Mary Altaffer AP
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