Brian Kolb initially launched his campaign in December, earning the support of many GOP committees. He is leaving the race to spend more time with his family
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, abruptly issued a statement dropping his gubernatorial bid Friday evening.
Kolb announced his withdrawal with “a heavy heart,” leaving incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. John Defrancisco, R-Syracuse, and Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, R-Buffalo, as the major candidates left in the 2018 election at this point.
In his statement, Kolb conveyed that his decision was contingent on his desire to spend more time with his family.
“As I left my home before dawn this morning, saying goodbye to my incredible wife, I knew that I’d be spending the next week, the week after, and every week for at least the next nine months on the road, away from my loving family. That moment helped put what is truly important in life back into perspective,” Kolb said in the statement.
In ending his campaign, Kolb reiterated his political and policy goals, vowing he will continue to serve as Assembly minority leader, “continuing to fight for lower taxes, good jobs for New York families, and an end to the corruption in the Cuomo administration.”
Kolb has yet to endorse DeFrancisco or Giambra.
