Accused insider trader in new reelex push

Rep. Chris Collins is reversing course and refusing to back down.

The embattled Republican, who represents a deeply red swath of upstate outside of Buffalo, said Wednesday he will “actively campaign” as he seeks reelection.

That’s a full flip from his decision to suspend his campaign in last month after being charged with insider trading scheme and lying to the FBI.

Collins has maintained his innocence and plans to fight the charges.

On Monday, he announced he will remain a candidate, but did not say whether he would serve out another term with the cloud of a federal investigation hanging over him or resign and pave the way for a special election in 2019.

Collins, one of the first members of Congress to back President Trump’s 2016 bid for the White House, said in a statement Wednesday that he will fight against the “radical left.”

“The stakes are too high to allow the radical left to take control of this seat in Congress,” he said. “Their agenda is clear. They want to reverse the recently enacted tax cuts, impose Canadian style health care, inflict new job-killing regulations and impeach President Trump.

“We cannot stand by and let that happen,” he added.

Collins was busted by the FBI in August along with his son, Cameron, and Stephen Zarsky, the father of Cameron’s fiancee.