Citing Father’s Illness, Lopez
Pulls Out Of Race For Congress
Due to an illness in his family, Assemblyman Pete Lopez, R-Schoharie, announced this morning he is suspending his bid to replace Congressman Chris Gibson in New York’s 19th Congressional District and is now officially seeking re-election in the 102nd Assembly District.
The 102nd includes Cherry Valley, Roseboom, Decatur and Worcester on Otsego County’s east end, as well as pieces of 11 counties.
Lopez, who appeared most recently locally last Tuesday at the Otsego Chamber’s State of the State breakfast at The Otesaga, announced that his father was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Pete, the eldest of four children, is the only sibling living in close proximity to his parents. He and his wife, Bridget, are their main caregivers and Pete carries the additional responsibility of serving as a health proxy for his father.
Assemblyman Lopez stated that the family has been engaged in consultations regarding treatment options since the recent diagnosis during the Christmas Holiday. He further stated that as a result of events that occurred late last week and his father’s upcoming schedule and challenges, he had no other choice than to turn away from the demands of the current congressional race.
