A long shot candidate for Albany mayor is leaving the race this hour – but a familiar face is taking his place.
After Steve King of the Albany City Republican Committee challenged the validity of the 1,514 signatures Alexander Portelli collected in order to be on the November ballot, the Libertarian candidate has made a decision to drop out of the race.
The 23-year old Portelli says he's done with politics for now - despite the fact the Portelli family has been involved in Albany politics for years - something that is not going to change: Portelli's mother, Theresa, announced Thursday afternoon she will run for Mayor on the Green Party line. She joins Democratic front-runner Kathy Sheehan in hoping to become the first woman to serve as Albany Mayor.