GOP Candidate For New York Senate Withdraws From Race, Admits To Extra-Marital Affair
A 24-year-old GOP hopeful running for a New York senate seat abruptly pulled out of the race this week after admitting to an extramarital affair.
Gia Arnold, from the Niagara Falls area, announced her decision to suspend her political race on Wednesday, saying that "personal decisions" had caused her to pull out of the race.
"I had an affair on August 1st and four days later I left my husband," Arnold told the New York Daily News in a recent interview.
" I wanted to go public with the information, just because it was heavy on my conscience and I am strong for honesty and integrity and always telling the truth and I felt it was important as a public figure that the public was aware of what was going on."
Arnold added to the Daily News that the man she started the affair with was a longtime friend, and the two were reportedly forging a relationship together. The mother of three added that although she will no longer be campaigning in the senate race, she will leave her name on the ballot, should voters still choose to support her.
The GOP candidate added to WBFO-TV that her extramarital affair served as "an escape from an already declining marriage."
Arnold's competitor in the senate race, Mayor Robert Ortt of North Tonawanda, issued a statement saying he respected his competitor's decision to suspend her campaign. "Anyone who has ever been involved in politics knows the importance of putting family first. I respect Ms. Arnold's decision to focus on her family at this time and wish them all the best."
"I remain committed to the task of earning the support of the people of the 62nd Senate District in hopes of serving as their representative in Albany."
