At a rally over the weekend in Arizona, former President Donald Trump took credit for Congressman John Katko’s recent decision not to seek re-election.
Syracuse.com reports Trump vowed to “get rid of” all ten Republican members of Congress who voted to impeach him. “And we just lost Katko too,” Trump said. “He’s gone now too. They’re falling fast and furious. The ones that voted to impeach, we’re getting rid of them fast.” Katko became the third of the ten to decide against running.
Katko said Friday he decided against seeking reelection “so that I can enjoy my family and life in a fuller and more present way.” He and his wife, Robin, lost all four of their parents over the past three years. In addition to likely facing a well-funded, pro-Trump primary opponent, Katko faced the possibility of running in a newly-drawn district including incumbent Claudia Tenney.
A Katko spokesperson had no comment on the former president’s remarks.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]