Kuhl Likely Facing Rematch From Last Year

Retired Naval officer Eric Massa looks like he’ll again be the Democratic nominee against Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), after his self-funded primary challenger David Nachbar withdrew from the race over the weekend.

Massa narrowly lost to Kuhl in 2006 by a two-point margin, and announced his rerun candidacy in March. He raised $178,000 in the quarter, far more than the $15,000 that Nachbar raised in contributions. Nachbar, however, did loan himself $200,000 for the campaign and looked to mount a serious primary challenge. (Kuhl only raised $72,000 in the quarter, and now trails Massa in cash-on-hand.)

Nachbar said he was withdrawing because he wanted to focus his attention on his job as senior vice president for human resources for Bausch and Lomb.

"My very dedicated co-workers need to have the confidence that every member of their leadership team is focused on doing the right thing for them, the shareholders and the community,” Nachbar wrote in a letter obtained by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "It has never been my way to cut and run on those who need me -- and I won't do so now.”