A Democratic candidate for New York's 19th Congressional District has dropped out of the race, following multiple arrests, including charges of grand larceny for attempting to steal $1,500 worth of clothes from Kohl's.
Steven Brisee, one of seven Democrats challenging Republican representative John Faso, announced on Twitter that he has had enough of politics, after being arrested twice in September.
The Daily Freeman reported on Brisee's exit from the race, citing his difficulties in fundraising. Brisee raised $850 and spent roughly $18,000, he told the paper.
"As someone on the spectrum the fact Thomas Jefferson was thought to be autistic gave me hope," Brisee tweeted. "There's a reason not many scientists run for office, because it's so far out of our comfort zone. I can do and learn a lot of things but sadly sociability will never be one of them. So that's enough politics for me."
"Good luck to everyone running in #ny19," he added.
The Times Herald-Record in the Hudson Valley reported on Brisee's two arrests in September, including the shoplifting charge at Kohl's and trespassing.
"A 27-year-old Democratic congressional candidate from Walden faces criminal charges in two counties for allegedly living in someone else's empty house without permission and trying to steal almost $1,500 worth of clothes and other merchandise from a Kohl's in the Town of Newburgh," the paper reported.
Brisee claimed to live in the 19th district, but the Times Herald-Record reported the address he provided "doesn't appear to exist."