Republican former Rep. John Faso in a statement on Monday said he will not run for the seat he lost last year to Democratic Rep. Antonio Delgado in the 19th congressional district.
Faso served for one two-year term in the Hudson Valley House seat.
“After much consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to the House of Representatives in the 2020 election,” Faso said in a statement.
“Family and professional obligations will make it impossible for me to wage another campaign, especially since such efforts would have to begin almost immediately. Serving in the House was a great privilege for which I will always be grateful to the people of the 19th Congressional District for giving me that opportunity.”
The move opens up a potentially large Republican field for the nomination next year to challenge Delgado. The seat has been viewed as a key swing district for the last several election cycles.
Faso is a former Assembly minority leader who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2006.