Gov. Andrew Cuomo once again indicated he is considering April 28 as the date for a special election to fill the seat held by disgraced former Rep. Chris Collins in Congress.
The date could potentially be a fraught one for Republicans, given the state will hold its presidential primary the same day. With President Donald Trump at the moment not facing any meaningful opposition to the GOP nomination in New York, Democrats are expected to turn out heavily for the vote.
Still, the district is a Republican heavy one in Western New York.
Cuomo said his consideration was driven by keeping the costs of a special election low and to ensure people will vote.
“My position in all these position is I don’t like to leave a seat open because we lose a voice, we lose a proponent, whether it’s a Republican or Democrat,” Cuomo told reporters during a stop in western New York on Wednesday. “If you leave a seat open, you have one less person on the team, you have one less person fighting for you.”
New York Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy last week blasted Cuomo for considering April 28, saying that doing so would favor the Democratic candidate.
Democrat Nate McMurray narrowly lost in 2018 to Collins, who was under indictment, accused of insider trading. Collins resigned his seat in Congress this month and pleaded guilty to related charges. McMurray is making his second bid for the seat.
A slew of Republican candidates have lined up to run for the seat, including state Sens. Chris Jacobs and Robert Ortt as well as attorney Beth Paralto.
Cuomo is yet to formally call the special election.