A Democratic candidate in the crowded 21st Congressional District field dropped out over the weekend.
The departure of Ron Kim, an attorney in Glens Falls who was once Saratoga Springs’ public safety commissioner, leaves seven candidates vying to take on two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, of Willboro, Essex County, who is seeking re-election.
Stefanik, who faces a potential Republican challenge from farmer Russell Finley of St. Lawrence County, announced Monday that she has been endorsed for re-election by all 12 county Republican chairpersons in the district, which stretches from Fulton and Saratoga counties to the Canadian border.
“These endorsements reflect the strong outpouring of grassroots support for our campaign across the 21st District,” Stefanik said in a prepared statement. “I will continue working hard to deliver results for our families and small businesses, and to earn every vote in November.”
Last week, Stefanik earned the support of the state’s Independence Party, which also supported her in 2014 and 2016.
The Democrats seeking to challenge her, however, paint her as an ally of big business and a supporter of President Donald Trump and the congressional Republican agenda.
Kim departed the race, saying any of the remaining candidates would be a better choice to lead the district than Stefanik.
“I have reluctantly decided to cease by efforts to win the nomination because I believe my continued efforts will only assist the incumbent,” Kim said on Sunday. “The good news is we have a slate of candidates vying for the nomination who are qualified and deserve your support, diligence and hard work. To a person, every one of them would be a superior congressperson for the North Country.”
Earlier, Tonya Boone of Granville and Greenwich Town Supervisor Sara Idelman dropped out of the race.
The remaining candidates are Don Boyajian of Cambridge; Tedra Cobb of St. Lawrence County; Emily Martz of Saranac Lake; David Mastrianni of Schroon Lake; Patrick Nelson of Stillwater; Dylan Ratigan of Lake Placid; and Katie Wilson of Keene.
Tuesday is the first day for those candidates and their supporters to start circulating nominating petitions. The filing deadline is April 12.
Assuming there is a primary, it will be held on Tuesday, June 26.
Reach Daily Gazette reporter Stephen Williams at 518-395-3086, [email protected] or @gazettesteve on Twitter.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
