Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) released a statement Wednesday explaining his decision to run for a fourth term for New York’s 27th Congressional District despite being indicted for insider trading charges in August.
“The stakes are too high to allow the radical left to take control of this seat in Congress,” he wrote. “Their agenda is clear. They want to reverse the recently enacted tax cuts, impose Canadian style healthcare, inflict new job killing regulations and impeach President Trump.
An Important Update pic.twitter.com/UHL1XNTKhw
— Chris Collins (@CollinsNY27) September 19, 2018
According to investigators, Collins tipped his son off about an Australian pharmaceutical company, Innate Immunotherapeutics, failing a clinical trial. Collins was the company’s largest shareholder and he, along with his son and other family members, were able to sell their stock in the company before it was affected. They were able to avoid losing $750,000.
Collins maintains that the charges against him are “meritless.” In his statement Wednesday, he vowed to clear his “good name in the courts.”
Collins will be running against Democratic Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray in November.
His opponent had a message for him following his announcement Wednesday.
I’ll help you get your name out there. #DebateNate https://t.co/P0zEQ2XUf1
— Nate McMurray for Congress (@Nate_McMurray) September 19, 2018
Bring it https://t.co/emyYtJEFco
— Nate McMurray for Congress (@Nate_McMurray) September 19, 2018