Colton drops out of congress race
All signs point toward Gentile nomination
Assemblymember Bill Colton, who announced with great fanfare last month that he was giving strong consideration to running for the Brooklyn-Staten Island congressional seat vacated by Republican Michael Grimm, quietly withdrew from the race over the weekend.
Colton (D-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) issued a statement announcing his decision not to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for the special election for the 11th Congressional District to be held on May 5.
“I strongly believe with the help of all of my announced supporters, together we were poised to win a major upset in the 11th C.D. race by presenting my strong track record of uniting people to fight for their real needs and concerns. But now with the May 5 special election date and with my Assembly obligations and duties to the state budget and other critical legislation, I am not able to become a candidate at this time,” Colton said in the statement.