A Republican woman challenging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her seat in Congress has dropped out of the race.
“Governor Cuomo’s undemocratic Executive Orders overthrew New York’s electoral process. The right to access the ballot, freedom of association as a member of a political party, the exchange of ideas and free speech are so sacred that the Founding Fathers made it the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” said Scherie Murray, a Jamaican immigrant who ran against Ocasio-Cortez from the Right.
“Notwithstanding, during the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders have gone unchecked, affirming the ability to silence Murray’s First Amendment rights,” she said in a statement.
BREAKING NEWS: Did you hear about this? “America, I promise you more and I will continue to #unitethefight for a prosperous and better future. Thank you so much for believing in me, a legal migrant from Jamaica, W.I. who came to America for a better life.” —Scherie Murray. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/aOsaG6Upe7
— Scherie Murray (@ScherieMurray) May 26, 2020
Both Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have faced intense backlash over a lockdown that was extended to June 13 in mid-May.
New York is slated to hold its primary elections on June 23.
Ocasio-Cortez still has several primary challengers, including former television journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera.
A member of the so-called liberal “Squad” in Congress, Ocasio-Cortez won her election in 2018 by unseating longtime Democrat Joe Crowley.
