By WBFO News
Buffalo, NY – Republican Erie County Executive Chris Collins says he will not be a candidate for governor this year.
Collins said the challenges of financing a state-wide campaign and a desire to continue his work in the county were the principle reasons for staying out of the race.
Collins had made controversial statements in the past few months, but he said the fallout from those incidents did not factor into his decision.
With Collins out, former Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio now emerges as the Republican frontrunner in the race.
However, Collins said he has no plans of supporting Lazio -- whose treasury contains less than $1 million for a campaign that could cost as much as $50 million.