Husband Drops Out of Assembly Race Against Wife

Mark Schimel said Tuesday he was dropping out of the Assembly race against his estranged wife Michelle Schimel, but not before taking a dig at her

The war of the roses has wilted.

The Long Island man challenging his estranged wife for her seat in the state Assembly is dropping out of the race just two days after his candidacy became national news.

Mark Schimel,the Nassau County GOP nominee, announced Tuesday he’s no longer making a bid to unseat Democrat Michelle Schimel, with whom he separated last year after 32 years of marriage and two kids.

“Since being nominated last Thursday, I have been inundated with calls from the media that focused on matters extraneous to the campaign and the issues facing our state,” he wrote in an email to North Hempstead GOP Committee Chairman Frank Moroney. “It is clear to me that any effort to have an honest debate about lowering property taxes, improving our economy and making elected officials more responsive to taxpayers will be impossible given the media’s proclivity for sensationalizing the news.”

Schimel then took a dig at his wife, to whom he remains married.

“It also seems that the Democrats are frightened by the fact that the taxpayers of the 16th AD will learn that the incumbent Assemblymember voted against the real property tax cap, which makes it harder for senior citizens to afford to remain in North Hempstead and New York State and discourages young adults from moving here!” he wrote. “Accordingly, I withdraw my request to run for the Assembly in the 16th AD. Thank you for your consideration and support.”

Michelle Schimel called her husband’s campaign “a distraction” and said she is focused on her work in the state Assembly.

“There is serious work to be done in the New York State Assembly, and this matter was only a distraction from the important work being done in my government office,” she said in a statement. “I will continue to work towards preventing gun violence, protecting our environment, bringing resources to the educational system, and moving the state economy forward. I look forward to continuing to represent the people of the 16th Assembly District.”

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