Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will not join House race against Chris Collins

Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul (D) will not run for the U.S. House of Representatives against Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), according to her team.

Spokeswoman Haley Viccaro said in a statement Monday, “I can tell you that the lieutenant governor is not going to run for Congress."

There were a few hours of question and speculation after the Buffalo News reported that Hochul could replace Nate McMurray as the Democratic Candidate.

McMurray responded to the report on Twitter, saying, "I’m not going anywhere. We will win this race. And you know what else? I hope Kathy Hochul stays put as LG too. We need WNY representation in Albany. No one in NYC, DC, or beyond calls the shots. We do! Focus on November. And let’s control our own destiny. PUSH! FIGHT! WIN!"

Eric County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner also responded to the report on Twitter, saying, "Our LG @KathyHochul has been the biggest Champion for WNY. We need her in Albany to continue fighting for us."