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YORKTOWN, N.Y. Assemblyman Steve Katz (R-Yorktown) announced Thursday afternoon he was dropping his primary challenge to Republican State Sen. Greg Ball of Patterson and would seek re-election to his 99th District State Assembly seat.
I regret that I cannot presently offer the voters of our district a clear voice in the State Senate that pursues the integrity, honesty and Republican principles that they deserve, Katz said in a released statement. Instead, I will pursue these values and continue my efforts in the Assembly. I will continue to focus on issues that are important to all New Yorkers: lowering our taxes, fixing our economy, and creating jobs.
Katz went on to thank his supporters for their encouragement.
I am humbled and motivated by their level of devotion, Katz said. I will continue my fight to represent our values in the Assembly and hope to have the continued confidence of the hard-working, long-suffering residents of our district.
Ball handily won the endorsement of district leaders in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties last month, leaving many to speculate that Katz may drop his bid and concentrate on winning another term in the state Assembly. Republican Dario Gristina of Putnam Valley has already announced he intends to run for the 99th Assembly seat, for which no Democrat has yet announced an intention to run.
Katz and Ball campaigned together often during the 2010 election, but Katz announced in March he would try to unseat Ball in the Senate's 40th District after the two had a falling out over videos posted on Facebook. Following Katzs Senate race announcement, Balls chief of staff and campaign manager accused Katz of pulling a Benedict Arnold.
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