N.Y. Assemblyman Will Not Challenge Murphy

[ccharles000]

New York state Assemblyman Marc Molinaro (R) is passing on a challenge to freshman Democratic Rep. Scott Murphy for the state's 20th district seat.

Molinaro told the local Daily Freeman paper Thursday that "the reality is that I don't know that there is or could be a more critical time to be involved in state government."

He added that while he was flattered by the appeals from local GOP officials to run for Congress, "I believe that hard-working, reform-minded elected officials really need to engage in problem solving in state government, and that's an overwhelming responsibility that I take very seriously."

Republicans have yet to field Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand after she was appointed to the Senate. Murphy, a businessman and first-time candidate, came from behind to upset Assemblyman Jim Tedisco in a contest so close that it wasn't settled until several weeks later.

Tedisco has not ruled out a re-match against Murphy.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/02/ny-assemblyman-will-not-challe.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=eye-on-2010