New York Rep. Chris Jacobs Abandons Reelection Bid

New York Republican Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY-27) announced Friday that he was ending his campaign for reelection. Jacobs had received an intense backlash from within the party for his willingness to support gun control in the wake of the mass shooting at the Tops Market in Buffalo, a short distance from his district.

The Buffalo News attributed this quote to Jacobs: "This obviously arises out of last Friday, my remarks, statements on being receptive to gun controls. And since that time, every Republican elected (official) that had endorsed me withdrew their endorsement. Party officials that supported me withdrew, most of them, and those that were going to said they would not. And so obviously, this was not well received by the Republican base."

Jacobs is completing his first full term. He was first elected in a 2020 special election to fill the vacancy left when Republican Chris Collins resigned. He is the 53rd current House member that will be retiring this year. This includes members running for another office, as well as those that have lost in their party's primary. 

As New York is losing a House seat this year, his current 27th district was eliminated in redistricting. Jacobs had been planning to run in the new District 23, a safely Republican district that primarily includes areas to the south of his current district, continuing to the Pennsylvania border.