State Sen. George Maziarz (R) removed his name Monday from the mix of potential candidates to succeed retiring Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), who announced late last week that he will not run for a sixth term in November.

Maziarz had quickly emerged as the GOP’s top candidate in the wake of Reynolds’ decision. But the state Senator said he preferred to stay put and run for re-election this fall. Among the factors in his decision was the GOP’s tenuous two-seat majority in the chamber.

With Maziarz out of the picture, the GOP is waiting for state Assemblyman Jim Hayes and other Republicans to decide.

On the Democratic side, the candidates are Iraq War veteran and teacher Jon Powers and attorney Alice Kryzan. Wealthy factory owner Jack Davis, the Democratic nominee against Reynolds the previous two cycles, has yet to formally declare his intentions but has been talking recently as if he’s preparing another run.

Over the weekend, Erie County Clerk Kathleen Hochul (D) said she is looking at running. Hochul, an attorney, is a one-time aide to former Rep. John LaFalce (D-N.Y.) and the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.).

— Lauren W. Whittington