Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - State Senator Chris Jacobs has made it official that he will not be the one to challenge Mark Poloncarz for Erie County Executive this November.
The announcement opens the door for Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon to become the candidate.
"I've always, when looking at running for something, your first question is 'Is it good for my family?,'" said Jacobs, whose wife recently gave birth to a baby. "It just really wasn't the right time on the family side. So maybe some time in the future, but right now I'm focused on my family and serving in the Senate."
The announcement by Jacobs likely didn't come as a surprise to many. In January, WBEN told you that Lynne Dixon was the apparent frontrunner for the Republican nomination, though she is saying on record simply that she's leaving the door open for a run.
No matter who it is, it's going to be an uphill battle for Republicans.
"It's going to be difficult," said poitical strategist Carl Calabrese. "It's an uphill battle, they're 135,000 (voters) down in enrollment. It's going to be a tough climb for anybody. Now, elections are funny things, issues break different ways... but it's certainly going to be tough."
Calabrese noted that other contenders for the race now include County Legislators Ed Rath, Lynne Dixon, Joe Lorigo, and Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns. Of all of those, Rath is the only registered republican.