Facing rumors, Panepinto pulls out of key state Senate race in Western New York

First-term state Sen. Marc Panepinto, facing rumors about a personnel matter, announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election just weeks after being endorsed by Erie County Democrats and the New York State United Teachers.

Surrounded by his family and law partners in the offices of his law firm, Dolce Panepinto, the Democrat told a room full of reporters that “for reasons both personal and professional,” he would step aside and back whomever the party endorses in his stead.

“This was not a decision I made lightly,” Panepinto said. “I’ve discussed it with my family, my law partners, friends, advocates around the state over the last few weeks and I’m comfortable going forward. It’s the best decision for me, my family, my partners and the people of the 60th Senate District.”

In his prepared statement, Panepinto at no point mentioned any internal strife among his staff, but confirmed after being pressed by reporters that his former chief of staff, Dan Corum, had left and been replaced by Chris Savage.

Rumors had been swirling in recent days that the senator or someone in his office was under investigation by the state Senate’s ethics committee or some other investigatory body, something that Panepinto, when asked by a reporter, flatly denied.

“There is a personnel matter, which is confidential which I can’t discuss,” Panepinto said. “But there is presently no ethics investigation.”

The announcement brings added intrigue to a race that will play a key role in the power balance of the state Senate. The seat had been occupied by the moderate Republican Mark Grisanti before Panepinto took a contentious four-way race in 2014.

The Republicans plan on running Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs, the popular scion to the Delaware North Companies fortune, who has wide name recognition and the ability to raise vast sums of money, important factors if the GOP wants to take the Democratic stronghold.

As for the Democrats, a number of candidates were already openly running for the seat or rumored to be possible challengers to – and now, replacements for – Panepinto. Amber Small, the director of a city community center, began a primary campaign against the incumbent last month. Assemblyman Sean Ryan, whose district has considerable overlap with the 60th Senate District, has been floated as an option to take Panepinto’s place.

The senator said his decision will allow the local Democratic party to move forward quickly in their effort to hold onto the seat, which could be essential to moving forth progressive plans currently in the works – including paid family leave and a $15-an-hour minimum wage – that he has been fighting to advance.

“Me getting out of the way now enables the party to coalesce behind a candidate who can hold this seat,” Panepinto said.

State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who heads the Democrats’ re-election efforts, said he is “confident we will work with local Democratic leaders and unify behind someone who can win. We always knew it was going to be competitive.”

The district has 84,494 registered Democrats and 49,746 Republicans, as well as substantial numbers of independent and Conservative Party voters.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said Marc Panepinto won his state Senate seat in a three-way race. It was a four-way race.