Ray Meier Not Running for 22nd District Seat

Another potential candidate poised to take the seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Richard Hanna is bowing out of the race.

Former New York Senator Raymond A. Meier will not seek the 22nd District Congressional seat.  He is issuing the following statement:

"Over the last few weeks, I have given considerable thought to running for the House of Representatives from the 22^nd District of New York.  I have appreciated the advice and encouragement which I have received from many people. After a great deal of thought, I have finally decided that because of extensive commitments to my law firm, my clients, and my family that I will not be a candidate.  I have made this decision with every confidence that the voters will have the opportunity to support a candidate who can effectively represent this Congressional District."

Meier, a Republican, served as Oneida County Executive before seeking the Senate seat for the 47th District of New York, to which he was elected, in 1996.

When Congressman Sherwood Boehlert announced his retirement from Congress in 2006, Meier squared off against then-Oneida County District Attorney Michael Arcuri for the seat.  Since then both Arcuri and Meier have discussed the contentiousness of that election, ultimately won by Arcuri.

Meier has not yet officially thrown his support to any of the other candidates running for the seat.