BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Another republican candidate under consideration for the Erie County Executive position bowed out of the race.
Erie County Legislator Ed Rath confirmed to WBEN on Wednesday that he is no longer running and will, instead, focus on his re-election.
"The timing is not right for me or my family or my personal business right now to pursue the county executive's race," Rath said.
Rath said he would throw his full support behind whoever the republican candidate is. No candidate has officially been endorsed by the Erie County Republican Party though names under consideration include Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon. GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy told WBEN last month that he will not recruit candidates through the media and not discuss private conversations with people.
"(Dixon) is someone who brings a tremendous amount of professionalism and has, in many ways, touched Erie County through her chairmanship of the Health and Human Services Committee," Rath said. "You can see the way she resonates through her legislative district that she is well-respected, appreciated, and the services she helps provide are tremendous. I think Lynne would be an excellent candidate should she run."
State Senator Chris Jacobs was one of the candidates that was highly sought by area republicans. However, he told WBEN last week he will not be running for the position.