When Nate McMurray ran against Chris Collins in 2018 for the NY-27 congressional seat, there was no apparent problem with his employer, Buffalo-based Delaware North.
He kept his job. He kept his salary.
During his tenure as supervisor in Grand Island, he kept his job. He kept his pay.
Two weeks ago, Delaware North informed McMurray he was being placed on leave without pay. He wasn't given an explanation.
Delaware North is owned by the family of Chris Jacobs, McMurray's opponent in the April 28 special election for the NY-27.
McMurray said he and his family are presently getting by on vacation pay and an earned bonus.
"I worked hard for the company," McMurray said. "I love many people there. But this is unquestionably difficult. I’ve expressed that to them."
Despite the loss of a regular paycheck, McMurray said he's committed to staying in the race.
McMurray made reference to his loss of wages today on Twitter and The Batavian reached out to him for clarification. He said he was limited in what he could say about the situation but confirmed that he had been put on leave without pay.
An attorney licensed to practice law in New York, McMurray is part of Delaware North's legal team.
Multiple attempts to reach the Jacobs campaign today for comment were unsuccessful. We also tried reaching out to Delaware North for comment and were unsuccessful. Messages were left in both cases.
Photo: Still from a video interview The Batavian conducted with Nate McMurray on Thursday evening at the Richmond Memorial Library. We intended to release the full nearly 50-minute interview once we've secured a similar and proportional interview with Chris Jacobs.
