Rochester, N.Y. – Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green announced Monday that he will not be running for the Congressional seat left vacant once Rep. Eric Massa resigns.
In a statement released Monday, Green (D) said “I was asked to consider running for the 29th Congressional seat and am honored and flattered by the request, but I am not seeking that office. I am currently committed to serving the community as Monroe County District Attorney. For professional and family reasons it does not make sense for me to seek a Congressional seat at this time.”
Green was approached by Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Morelle about a potential run for Congress. Governor David Paterson could declare a special election to fill the vacancy once Massa resigns.
No Democrats have entered the race for the seat at this point. Hornell mayor Shawn Hogan also announced Monday that he is not running.
On the Republican side, former Corning mayor Tom Reed has already announced a run for the seat in November. While former Rep. Randy Kuhl is also strongly considering another run, and Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks remains undecided.
Brooks weighed in on the possibility of a Congressional run in the 29th District before boarding a plane to Washington. She is one of 100 women from across the county invited for Women's International Leadership Day. The event will be hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama.
“There are things that, you know, are factors that I don’t control, redistricting in a few years, is it really just a two year seat,” Brooks said. “Those are all things you have to look at when you’re thinking of making a change. At the end of the day what will be the decision point for me is how best can I serve the taxpayers of Monroe County and the region.”
The 29th Congressional District spans 8 counties from the Southern Tier to Rochester, and Republicans hold a significant voter registration advantage in the district (175,000 Republicans, 130,000 Democrats, 86,000 blanks).
