The sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer dropped her bid to represent part of the Lower Hudson Valley in Congress Wednesday and instead threw her support behind former representative Mondaire Jones.
Democrat Liz Whitmer Gereghty announced she was suspending her campaign for the seat that covers the 17th district in New York currently held by GOP House member Michael Lawler.
Her sudden exit helps clear the path for Jones to grab the Democratic nomination as he looks to make a comeback to elected office in what will be a closely watched race.
“When we started this journey, we had one goal: to ensure the Hudson Valley was no longer represented by an anti-choice, shape-shifting extremist out of step with our values,” Whitmer Gereghty said in a statement.
“That remains the most important goal. However, as of today, I will suspend my campaign for this seat.”
Whitmer Gereghty, a small business owner and former local school board member, said she was endorsing Jones, who used to represent much of the district when he was in Congress from 2021 to 2022.
But a redistricting upheaval spurred former representative and powerful Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney to run in the 17the District instead of the 18th, leading Jones to flee to New York City to run for another congressional seat where he lost in a crowded primary in 2022.
Jones said in a tweet that Whitmer Gereghty called him Tuesday night to let him know she was suspending her campaign.
“I thanked her for her contributions to our community,” Jones stated. “I’m honored to have Liz’s endorsement and ready to work together to defeat Mike Lawler, who masquerades as a moderate on television but votes like an extreme MAGA Republican.”
Lawler topped Maloney in an upset victory during last year’s midterms but is expected to have a tough re-election fight next year.
“I want to wish Liz Gereghty the best. Running for office is not for the faint of heart. While there is much we disagree on, I appreciate her willingness to put her name forward and get in the arena. That Liz did not find traction in today’s Democratic Party speaks volumes,” Lawler said on X.
“It’s clear New York Democrats would rather support a ‘defund the police’ and open borders radical, with one of most partisan voting records in Congress, and who proudly referred to himself as a socialist and Squad-adjacent. Voters in the Hudson Valley will reject that next year,” he added in a jab to Jones.
Another Democrat in the primary field that could still face Jones is MaryAnn Carr, who is a former Bedford town supervisor.
The district encompasses all or parts of Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess counties.