Sarah Hughes, an Olympic Gold Medal figure skater who grew up in Great Neck, announced her bid to run for the 4th Congressional District seat in May on the Democratic line. Four months later, she issued a statement that she would no longer be running for Congress.
Hughes posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 8 that she would be pulling out of the race. She did not say why.
“For those interested, I have decided not to run for Congress at this time,” the post states. “Like many Americans, I have become increasingly frustrated with the state of our politics and politicians over the last several years.”
Efforts to contact Hughes were unavailing.
Hughes took home the Gold Medal for the women’s singles event during the 2002 Winter Olympics, defeating Michelle Kwan, who took bronze, and Irina Slutskaya, who took silver.
She is the only American woman to have won the Olympic title without having won either a World or U.S. senior national title.
Hughes retired shortly after her Olympic win in 2003.
Daughter of John Hughes and Amy Pastarnack, Hughes was born in Great Neck and attended Great Neck North High School.
After graduation, she attended Yale University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a concentration in U.S. politics and communities.
Hughes was facing a slate of other candidates in the district’s Democratic primary, including Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen. Gillen previously lost to U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) in the November election for the District 4 seat.
The Democratic lineup includes Gillen; Gian Jones, a real estate professional who has campaigned for numerous elected offices; Patricia Maher, a Democratic committeewoman; and Henry Lawrence, who has previously run for the seat.
D’Esposito is currently the only Republican candidate in the race.
Despite Hughes’ decision to pull out of the race, she assured her followers on X that her political advocacy would not stop.
“I will continue to advocate for reducing healthcare costs, promoting the effective use of our tax dollars, and implementing pro-growth and innovative economic policies for our country,” the post states.
