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Nate Shinagawa, 2012 Democratic Nominee for Congress and Tompkins County Legislator, announced today that he will not be running for Congress in 2014.

"With Congress still failing to turn around this economy, it's clear Washington needs leadership. However, while I've been pushed by the national Democratic Party and local leaders to run, I have decided that this district, and my family, need my attention at home," said Shinagawa.

During the campaign, health care reform was a major focus for Shinagawa's campaign. Shinagawa spoke to thousands of voters about specific ways to reduce costs, reform the insurance system and support local doctors and nurses. He has long advocated for a healthcare system that puts quality over profit, and strongly believes in a future with more integrated healthcare delivery systems like the Mayo and Guthrie Clinics.

"I want to dedicate my time and energy to make sure that health care reform best serves the people of the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and Western New York. There's innovative and exciting work happening locally to improve health care quality and reduce costs to patients. The biggest changes in healthcare reform will happen in the next two years. We need people working hard, on the ground, to make sure it’s done right."

Since the election, Shinagawa has returned to his position as Administrative Director at Robert Packer Hospital. He also still represents Ithaca on the Tompkins County Legislature.

In the 2012 election, Shinagawa received 48% of the vote against Congressman Tom Reed. Following the election, the Daily Kos and other political sources named the campaign a major missed opportunity for Democrats nationally. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has since targeted New York's 23rd Congressional District as one of only two races in New York, and twenty-seven in the country, for Democrats to win.

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