Assemblyman Joseph Morelle of Rochester is pulling out of the race to replace Sheldon Silver as Assembly Speaker.

WXXI Radio in Rochester is reporting that Morrelle will back Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie for the post.

Morelle released a statement today saying that he has the utmost confidence in Heastie’s ability to unite their Assembly members and he has Morelle’s full support.

Assemblyman Joseph Lentol dropped his candidacy on Thursday and Assemblyman Keith Wright of Manhattan withdrew on Wednesday, leaving Catherine Nolan of Queens as the only other remaining candidate.

Morelle is serving as interim speaker until a new leader is elected on February 10th.

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