BUFFALO – New York’s 27th Congressional Representative Chris Collins (R) said he is ending re-election campaign days after the Congressman was charged with insider trading.
Collins announced Saturday he will suspend his campaign and drop out of the race.
Collins was indicted Wednesday on charges he passed inside information about a biotechnology company to family members so they could profit from illicit trades.
He had said later that day he would remain on the ballot despite the indictment and fight the charges.
Collins released the following statement:
“Democrats are laser focused on taking back the House, electing Nancy Pelosi Speaker and then launching impeachment proceedings against President Trump. They would like nothing more than to elect an ‘Impeach Trump’ Democrat in this District, which is something that neither our country or my party can afford.
After extensive discussions with my family and my friends over the last few days, I have decided that it is in the best interests of the constituents of NY-27, the Republican Party and President Trump’s agenda for me to suspend my campaign for re-election to Congress.
I will fill out the remaining few months of my term to assure that our community maintains its vote in Congress to support President Trump’s agenda to create jobs, eliminate regulations, reduce the size of government, address immigration and lower taxes.
I will also continue to fight the meritless charges brought against me and I look forward to having my good name cleared of any wrongdoing.”