ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York state lawmaker who was defeated in the Democratic primary says he will keep running as a third-party candidate.

State Sen. Tony Avella of Queens said Monday that he'll stay on the November ballot as the nominee for the independence and Women's Equality parties.

Avella lost the Democratic primary to former New York City Comptroller John Liu. But he'll stay in the race because New York election law allows candidates to run on multiple party lines.

Avella was a member of the Independent Democratic Conference, a group of rogue Democrats who broke with their party to support Republican control of the Senate.

Liberals successfully targeted Avella and other ex-IDC members in last month's primary, arguing that they had betrayed their party by empowering Republicans.

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