Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple is now not operating for state Senate.
AP/Hans Pennink
The Albany lawman identified for unsuccessfully pursuing groping costs towards disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is dropping plans to run for the state Senate.
“I hoped to be a voice for average voters who had felt they wanted a stronger voice in New York. Nonetheless after exploring this chance I’m drawn again to the aim I've all the time set for myself and my youngsters which is ‘discover a job you like, and you'll by no means work a day in your life,’” Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple mentioned in a Fb publish Wednesday.
The nationwide limelight fell on Apple, a Democrat, final 12 months when he pursued a misdemeanor case towards Cuomo, who allegedly groped former staffer Brittany Commisso on the Government Mansion in Albany in late 2020.
“I did my job. I did precisely what the folks elected me to do. I couldn’t simply flip my head to that due to who that particular person was,” Apple informed the Put up on Could 19 earlier than formally asserting his Senate candidacy.
Cuomo denied the cost, which was later dropped, in addition to different accusations of wrongdoing from a number of ladies alleging sexual misconduct and harassment.
“Cowboy sheriff goes to pasture. Hate to see it,” Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi mentioned in a textual content.
Apple acquired some backing from organized labor in his short-lived marketing campaign to signify the forty third state Senate district that features Rensselaer County in addition to elements of Washington and Albany counties.
“I deeply apologize to the unions who supported me, Committee members and volunteers who carried petitions within the sizzling climate, in addition to [Albany County Democratic] Chairman Jake Crawford who tried tirelessly to have me rethink how I can greatest serve the group. However that is the suitable determination for me,” Apple mentioned within the Fb publish.
His exit from the race means Rensselaer Democrat Andrea Smythe, CEO and president of the New York State Coalition for Kids’s Behavioral Well being, can pivot to a common election matchup towards GOP Assemblyman Jake Ashby (R-Castleton).
“As some of the revered sheriffs within the nation, I imagine that Albany County residents are relieved that Sheriff Apple will stay on the job. His outstanding file speaks for itself and I respect his determination to proceed his glorious work,” Smyth mentioned in a textual content.
Apple won't endorse anybody within the race, in keeping with his Fb publish.
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