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Hochul dismisses rumors of run against Collins

Lt. Governor says "that call didn't happen"
Hochul discusses reopening in Western New York
Posted at 9:46 PM, Jan 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-18 22:26:21-05

It was not an outright declaration, but Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul signaled she is not interested in running against GOP Congressman Chris Collins in the mid-term elections.

"Governor Cuomo and I aren't finished our work yet," Hochul said.

At an event to tout state investment in Calspan, an automotive and aerospace research facility in Cheektowaga, Hochul told reporters there was "no truth" to rumors that Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is being urged to replace Hochul as Governor Andrew Cuomo's running mate.

Hochul also poured cold water on reports that House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Hochul to ask her to run against Collins.

"That call didn't happen," Hochul said firmly.

Hochul, who lost a Congressional re-election challenge to Chris Collins in 2012, says she has been repeatedly asked to run against the GOP incumbent over the years.

"I've been asked to run for years to beat Chris Collins, of course. He has vulnerabilities," she said.

However, she claims to remain committed to focusing on the entire state, not one district within it.