“I will remain on the ballot,” declared Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., on Wednesday, just hours after pleading not guilty to charges of fraud, conspiracy and lying to investigators.
But Collins could be a drag on the GOP ticket nationally, as Democrats seize on his insider trading case to convince voters to put them in power.
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse President Trump and had been considered a shoo-in for reelection in his heavily Republican district outside Buffalo. News of the indictment helped energize his Democratic challenger, Nate McMurray, who suddenly found himself surrounded by a boisterous group of supporters at a UAW hall.
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