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Tompkins County Legislator Lansing, Mike Sigler (R-Lansing) announced today he is withdrawing from the New York State Senate 54th District race.  Sigler was one of at least a dozen contenders for the Republican Committee endorsement across the district, to try to keep a Republican in retiring NYS Senator Mike Nozzolio's office.  But Canandaigua Town Supervisor Pam Helming won the endorsement when district Republicans voted on May 25th.  Ontario County Businessman Floyd Rayburn (R) will challenge Helming in a primary election September 13.

"It was a tough decision, but I think ultimately the right one.  My main reason for running was to protect the interests of my town and I believe Floyd Rayburn will do that which is why I'm supporting him in the upcoming primary. I want a state where I can say to my daughter, 'build your life here.' I think Floyd has the best chance at winning this seat and carrying a message like that forward.  Lansing is a small part of the district, three percent.  I want someone who won't be rolled by the state as I've seen happen to so many senators over the past year."

Early this year Nozzolio announced that he would not run again because he would be recovering from heart surgery that was successfully completed in May.  Nozzolio has served in the Senate for 14 years.

Sigler traveled the District trying to build support for his Senate run, forming an exploratory committee, sending mailers, and raising money.  He says Rayburn is his choice because he has the resources to win.

"To raise your profile in such a large district will take money, time and a good team," Sigler said.  "There's only one person in the race who I think can put all that together with the limited time left before the election.  By working with Mr. Rayburn, I believe Lansing will have a seat at the table.  We'll have a senator who stands up against this go along to get along attitude, someone who's made a payroll, understands what a state needs to do to support jobs, and will listen when my town and the other 40 plus towns in the district have an issue."

Sigler says he thinks there will be more people running, and says he is wary of the State Republican Party  becoming involved in choosing candidates.

"It became clear during the caucus we had at the end of May that the state party has an idea of who it wants in this seat and frankly I don't like the state weighing in on a primary when it has so many other Republican seats to defend against the democrats.  The balance of the Senate is on the line and it's weighing in on primaries?  That's just a waste of resources if you ask me."

Sigler says he will ask his exploratory committee to collect signatures for Rayburn starting this week. 

"There's not a doubt in my mind that Mike could do the job starting tomorrow and could have grown to a leadership position in the Senate," says Lansing Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne.  "But Mike is a realist too.  He understands what it takes to win a race this big and I know he'll do what he thinks is best for his town and the district.  Truth be told, I'm glad he will remain our county legislator."

Town of Rose Supervisor Kenan Baldridge (D), who received the Democratic endorsement in April, is being challenged by Charles Evangelista (D).

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