GOP uncertain as Rep. Chris Collins ends re-election bid

NEW YORK — U.S. Rep. Chris Collins ended his reelection bid Saturday, days after his indictment on insider trading charges, a move that raised questions about how the Republican Party might replace him with another nominee in one of New York’s most conservative districts.

The move came after Collins had defiantly said he would forge ahead with his campaign, even after he was indicted on charges he had passed inside information about a biotechnology company to family members so they could profit from illicit trades.

But Collins reversed himself Saturday. “I have decided that it is in the best interests of the constituents of NY-27, the Republican Party and President Donald Trump’s agenda for me to suspend my campaign for re-election to Congress,” his statement said.

He went on to say he will fill out his term and “continue to fight the meritless charges brought against me.” He has denied any wrongdoing.

Collins’ decision to end his re-election bid appeared to boost Democrats’ chances of taking in a solidly Republican district, but the announcement left unanswered questions including how Collins’ name could be removed from the ballot. Attempts for answers from Republican Party officials went unanswered even as the Democratic nominee, Nate McMurray, called for his opponent’s resignation.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do,” McMurray told The Associated Press when asked about the fallout on Saturday. “The whole situation is bizarre, but I welcome it.”

McMurray, a supervisor for the town of Grand Island in western New York, said he was “ecstatic” over a sudden interest in his campaign from a Democratic establishment looking to regain a majority in Congress that he felt he “should have been there all along.”

In an earlier statement, McMurray had said it is “a continuing disgrace that both parties have not said, with one clear voice, ‘Resign, Mr. Collins, and do it today.”

Wednesday’s indictment charges Collins and two others, including his son, with conspiracy, wire fraud and other counts.

Prosecutors say the charges relate to a scheme to gain insider information about a biotechnology company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in Auckland, New Zealand.

It is unclear whether Collins’ name can be removed from the November ballot at this point and whether Republican Party officials will be able to nominate another candidate for the seat.