Mark Assini announces he won't run for Congress against Louise Slaughter

Gates Town Supervisor Mark Assini planned to use his Wednesday evening news conference to announce his intention to challenge Democrat incumbent Louise Slaughter in New York's 25th Congressional District for a third time.

That won't be happening.

Saying "events have changed," Assini will not be seeking a seat in Washington, D.C.

Assini changed his mind after receiving a letter from the Monroe County Conservative Party stating that it would not endorse him. Even though he won't be running, Assini said, "It's time to evict the landlord," speaking about Slaughter, who has been the U.S. representative in the 25th District since 1987.

Calling the letter's content a surprise, he said, "I was stunned. I did not expect it."

"Although I am disappointed, I respect the right of the Monroe County Conservative Party to make that decision," Assini said.

After letting the news sink in, Assini said he did the math.

"We have to have a unified ticket in the fall election in order to bring the much needed change to this congressional district," he said. "Splitting the vote between the Monroe County Republican Party and the Monroe County Conservative Party will assure the re-election of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.

Earlier this month, Dr. James Maxwell, a neurosurgeon, announced his candidacy to seek the Republican nomination, which would have set up a primary if Assini ran.

The Conservative Party endorsed Maxwell. However, Assini said it is to early for him to make an endorsement of Maxwell. He said he needs to learn more about the candidate.

To family, friends and public officials who attended, Assini told the crowd, "Please don't be sad."

Welling up with tears, his wife, Mary Ann Clarno, said running for Congress was a great experience. "Politics is what Mark does, it's not who he is. Life is good and we'll be fine," she said.

Assini lost a tight contest against Slaughter four years ago. The race was too close to call on Election Night, and Assini conceded the race eight days later after absentee ballots had been counted. The final margin was less than 1,000 votes, or 0.5 percent of the total votes.

He challenged Slaughter again in 2016, losing by 12 percentage points amid a much larger turnout.

Assini promised that he will not be going anywhere. He said he is passionate about serving Gates.

While he's not in the running, Assini said the district needs to be tackling issues such as the opioid epidemic, poverty and job growth.

MEFINNERTY@Gannett.com

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