Update: Mejias Drops Out Of Senate Race

Democrat Dave Mejias has dropped out of the race for State Senate. 

Mejias, who's been under fire since his arrest for allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend, made the announcement at a news conference in Farmingdale on Thursday.

Flanked at the podium by his staff, Mejias also announced his endorsement of Francesca Carlow, his opponent in the Democratic primary.

"The voters deserve a real debate on the issues. My continued candidacy will replace a meaningful debate about the future of our great state with distraction and sensationalism. Long Island deserves better," he said. "It is for that reason that I can no longer continue in this race, and ask the voters to support Francesca Carlow."

According to police, Mejias had followed his ex-girlfriend and forced her to stop on Piping Rock Road in Matinecock. He then proceeded to scream at her until she escaped and summoned the authorities. He was arrested, arraigned on misdemeanor stalking, menacing, and reckless endangerment charges.

Mejias refused to discuss any specific details of the incident at the press conference, claiming he wished to be respectful to all of those involved.

However, he attempted to set the record straight on certain reports of the incident that he called "erroneous."

"Number one, this was a brief verbal dispute, in which there was no physical contact or injury," he said. "Number two, this was completely a chance encounter, during which no one was run off the road, and no one was chased out of their car. Number three, this brief verbal dispute involved a business dispute, and nothing else."

"All that being said, I deeply regret the incident," he added. "I said some hurtful, immature things. And for that, I am sincerely sorry."

When asked why his version of events should be taken at face value when he refused to discuss details of the incident, Mejias responded that it wouldn't be appropriate to comment on the specifics at this time.

When pressed on his future political career and if he planned to re-enter the Senate race at a later date, Mejias indicated that he was out of politics for good.

"I have dedicated my life to making Long Island a better place and to help people who can't help themselves," he said. "That's not going to end. I will always dedicate myself to helping people, and seeking justice for those who can't seek justice for themselves. But going forward, I plan on doing that in the private sector."

When asked to comment on his previous statement that he would be "fully exonerated" of the charges, Mejias responded that the court date is still pending.

Carlow campaign spokeswoman Lisa Falcone, said that she felt Mejias' decision to drop out of the race would be beneficial to Democrats going forward.

"Although these charges are allegations, people need to have faith in people who are running for office," she said. "It's difficult to run a campaign with these sort of allegations hanging over you." 

Mejias' name will still appear on the ballot because the deadline has passed to remove it, but Mejias' departure appears to pave the way for businesswoman Carlow to win the the Democratic primary and face incumbent Republican Kemp Hannon in November. Hannon's district includes portions of Massapequa.

Calls to a Hannon spokeswoman were not immediately returned.

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