GOPer nixes Albany reelex

ALBANY — State Senate Republicans have suffered another blow in their fight to keep control of the chamber this November.

Two-term incumbent Sen. Thomas Croci (R-Suffolk County) said Wednesday he will not seek reelection, the fourth sitting Republican to bail in the past few days. Croci, a Naval officer, said, “I am being recalled to active duty and have accepted orders that preclude me from being a candidate for public office.”

He joins Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) and Sens. John Bonacic (R-Orange County) and Kathleen Marchione (R-Saratoga County) in announcing they will not run. Another long-time senator, William Larkin (R-Orange County), 90, is set to announce his plans Thursday, a spokesman said.