NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Republican businesswoman who had planned to challenge Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her congressional seat has suspended her campaign.
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Scherie Murray is dropping out of the race ahead of the state's primary election on June 23, she said in a statement released on Monday.
Murray, a Jamaican immigrant who launched her campaign against Ocasio-Cortez last summer, claimed the vendor her team hired to collect ballot signatures "violated New York State election laws" and kept her from qualifying to be on the Republican primary ballot.
She also claimed Gov. Andrew Cuomo's coronavirus-related executive orders "have gone unchecked, affirming the ability to silence (her) First Amendment rights."
"Despite the odds that worked to silence Scherie Murray out of fear of the movement her campaign built, her coalition is not one that will evaporate overnight because the people of New York still need real leaders and a voice," her statement said.
In a quote included in her statement, Murray said she would "continue to unite the fight for a prosperous and better future for our next generation of leaders."
"As long as avowed socialists are legislators, you can rest assured I will use my platform to advocate for the kitchen table issues of the toughest, hardest working New Yorkers," she added.
Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat, represents parts of Queens and the Bronx.
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