Lopez: Back in the Assembly race
SCHOHARIE – State Assemblyman Peter Lopez (R-Schoharie), whose
district includes a portion of Ulster County, Monday announced he will
be suspending his bid to run for the 19th congressional seat. Incumbent
Christopher Gibson is not seeking reelection.
Lopez said his decision was based on his father’s recent cancer
diagnosis. The eldest of four children, Lopez is the only sibling living
close to his parents and he and his wife are their main caregivers, he
said. Lopez also serves as a health proxy for his father.
The assemblyman said his family has been in discussions about his political
future since his father was diagnosed during the Christmas holiday.
“There is really no choice when family is involved,” Lopez
said. “The timing of the diagnosis and treatment runs right into
the necessary committee candidate selection process that will begin on
January 11, 2016 and run through late February.” He said the state
legislative session begins this week. “Balancing all these demands
while engaged in a congressional race of this magnitude, is just not possible.
These are the months that my family needs me the most.”
