Ortt bows out of Congressional race and will pursue Senate re-election
Photo by Tom Rivers: State Sen. Rob Ortt speaks on Feb. 1 during the Lyndonville Fire Department installation and awards banquet.
State Senator Rob Ortt has bowed out of the race for the 27th Congressional District, The Buffalo News is reporting.
Ortt instead will focus on re-election to the State Senate, where he was first elected in November 2014.
Ortt has been pursuing the Congressional seat for about seven months, traveling throughout the eight-county district.
The eight county Republican chairmen recently picked Chris Jacobs, another state senator, as the candidate in an April 28 special election. Ortt was a close second to Jacobs as the party leaders’ pick.
Ortt mulled pursuing a Republican primary for the seat on June 23, with a general election to then follow in November. He opted to seek the Senate seat instead.
“I want to thank Rob for his hard work and dedication to the Party and the people of Western New York,” Jacobs said in a statement. “It has been an honor serving alongside him in the New York State Senate and he has always conducted himself with the highest degree of professionalism and has always been a true fighter for the needs of his constituents. I have no doubt he will continue to serve the people of Western New York with steadfast dedication and honor.”
Beth Parlato, a former Darien town justice, also is seeking the position in the primary. She commended Ortt for his efforts in seeking the 27th Congressional seat.
“Congratulations on a great campaign!” she wrote on Twitter. “You serve your senate district well, and I know you would have done the same for #NY27. Thank you for all your years of service to WNY. I look forward to working together in the future, and wish your Senate race success!”
