TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—Osun Zotique, the most recent candidate to join the Congressional race for NY-19, has officially withdrawn their run for federal office and will not be continuing with their campaign, effective June 30, 2022.
In a statement announcing the withdrawal, Zotique said that, after traveling throughout the counties that make up NY-19 and consulting with the New York State Board of Elections, they decided that they do not have the “necessary means” to win an election against opposing GOP candidate Marc Molinaro.
“It has been an utter privilege to make United States history as our first transgender non-binary individual to run for federal elected office,” Zotique said. “Over the course of about a month, I announced, opened myself up to the broader community, received support, collected designating petition signatures, and began making my way onto the Democratic Primary Ballot.”
In closing, Zotique urges support for NY-19 Democratic candidates Josh Riley and Jamie Cheney and reminds voters of the upcoming Democratic primary scheduled for Aug. 23, 2022.