Massa Drops Out Of Race For 29th: Upstate New York Rep. Facing Allegations Of Sexual Harassment

Upstate New York Congresman Eric Massa won't be running for re-election in the 29th Congressional District.

The House Ethics Committee has been told of allegations that Massa sexually harassed a male staffer.

The New York Daily News reported fellow Democrats bemoaning that "Massa pulled a Foley on us" (recalling Mark Foley's page scandal).

The Hornell Evening Tribune and the Elmira Star-Gazette reported that Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan has been asked by Congressman Eric Massa to replace him as the 29th Congressional District representative.

Politico:  Another Pol Falls In New York

Village Voice: Eric Massa to Retire, Pleading Health, "Salty Language," Not Sexual Harassment

Talking Points Memo: Getting Strange

The Hill:  Massa: Cancer is reason for retirement, not 'salty language'

Republicans are mentioning Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks for the 29th, rather than Tom Reed who presently has his name out there.

The 29th was a close call that Republicans want back badly, so Massa's departure also comes amid what was sizing up to be a take back seat.

But it is getting strange.

Scandals seem to be dropping from the sky everyday.

Comments

[Steven G. Poyzer]

Reed has been pounding the pavement since July of last year. As an honest to goodness conservative Republican he has garnered the support of about evert group he has come in contact with building a district wide multi-factioned grassroots network of support and funding over the past eight months. There is little reason for anyone else to jump on the bandwagon now that Massa has dropped out, in fact if one of the above were to challenge Reed for the Republican and Conservative endorsements it may be cause to seriously question their motives.