Khojasteh steps aside, supports Killian in Senate special election

One of the three candidates looking to run as a Republican in an April 24 special election for an empty New York State Senate seat has dropped out of the race.

Bedford attorney Sarmad Khojasteh said he'll end his campaign today and support former Rye Councilwoman Julie Killian for a vacant seat in New York's 37th District, considered pivotal for control of the Senate.

"In this circumstance, going into an election on April 24, it's not a close call as to who the best candidate is," Khojasteh told The Journal News/lohud.

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He said KIllian's experience as an elected official and candidate was the GOP's "best foot forward" against Democratic nominee Shelley Mayer, a state assemblywoman who lives in Yonkers.

Westchester County Republicans will meet Wednesday night to nominate a candidate for the district, which includes most of the county's Long Island Sound Shore communities. Since it's a special election, party leaders will choose the candidate and there'll be no primary election.

The seat has been empty since Democrat George Latimer resigned Jan. 1 to become Westchester County executive.

White Plains resident Dan Schorr, the former Yonkers inspector general, said he has no intention of stepping aside as he tries to win the Republican nod.

"I'm going to fight for this nomination because I think I'm the best candidate, not only to win the convention but win the election," Schorr said.

Schorr said he brings the background of a prosecutor that could help clean up Albany. He said he favors ethics reform that'd give the state inspector general greater oversight over lawmakers and increase independence from the governor's office.

Killian is a late entry into the race, but ran for the seat before. In 2016, Killian fell short on a bid for the seat against Latimer, the incumbent.

Although Killian hasn't formally announced her candidacy, Khojasteh said he'd spoken with her and she said she'd promote policies to help middle and lower income New Yorkers.

Although Democrats have a distinct voter enrollment advantage within the district and have held the seat for years, Republicans view the race as winnable. The GOP has a 1-person majority with two vacant seats, including the 37th's.

The 37th District includes parts of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle as well as Bedford, North Castle, Harrison, Rye and Mamaroneck.

Follow reporter Mark Lungariello on Facebook @lungariello and Twitter @marklungariello.