Mark Assini was supposed to kick off his third run for Congress Wednesday afternoon.

Instead, he took the podium and announced, in front of a room full of supporters, that he was going to sit this one out.

Assini says everything changed Sunday night after Monroe County GOP Chair Bill Reilich hand-delivered a letter to him from Monroe County Conservative Party Chair Tom Cook.

The letter said the conservative party is endorsing another candidate:  Dr. Jim Maxwell.

Maxwell, a neurosurgeon, announced earlier this month he's seeking the Republican nomination.

Assini says he's not running in order to support a unified ticket.

He says it's the only way to defeat the incumbent, Democrat Louise Slaughter.

Instead, he'll stay focused on his family and his job as Gates Town Supervisor, saying it's not about politics, but a love for his neighbors and his community.