Republicans and Democrats Fields to Succeed Reynolds Both Face Potential Upheavals
In continuing wake of Maziarz decision to skip race, Lewis emerges in GOP race and Hochul Democratic race
A three-hour meeting the day before Easter set into motion a dramatic change in Western New York politics which took a popular state senator out of a congressional race and establishes the new Erie County Executive as the region’s leading Republican powerbroker.
Sources have confirmed that Rick Lewis, a Buffalo businessman who runs the Talking Phone Book, will be entering the race to succeed Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-Erie/Genessee). Lewis, who sold his family business several years ago in a multi-million deal, will commit at least $3 million of his own money to the race. He was recruited to the race by Erie County Executive Chris Collins, who is trying to establish himself as the region’s dominant Republican after taking office earlier this year.
The news comes as Republicans in the district are still digesting the decision by State Sen. George Maziarz (R-Niagara), long considered Reynolds’ natural successor, to skip the race.
Maziarz told local politicos and the leaders of Western New York’s leading labor unions that he would be making the congressional race within hours of Reynolds’ formal retirement announcement on March 20. His entrance into the race was considered so certain that both parties had settled on candidates for his Senate seat: Niagara County Republican Chairman Henry Wojtaszek and Lewiston Town Supervisor Fred Newlin (D).
Then came a meeting on Holy Saturday between Niagara County’s Republican hierarchy and Maziarz at his Wheatfield office. They discussed issues surrounding both the congressional race and Wojtaszek’s Senate race, according to sources familiar with the discussions. While the GOP hierarchy was convinced Wojtaszek could retain the Senate seat and that Maziarz could raise the necessary funds, even though he would not have been able to put all of his $800,000 Senate war chest into a congressional run.
But Maziarz said his wife, Beverly, ultimately put a stop to the idea of him going to Washington.
“My wife wasn’t that enthusiastic about it,” he said, noting he only married a few years ago. “Congress is 10 months a year and five days a week.”
Others note that redistricting may have played a role in his thought process. With census estimates predicting New York to lose between one and two congressional seats in 2012, Western New York Democrats have said the Reynolds district may be on the chopping block if held by a Republican. Maziarz, who has been in either elective or appointive public office his entire adult life, said this was not a consideration.
Maziarz said he believes a Republican seat will continue to exist in Western New York, as neither Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-Rochester and Buffalo) and Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) would want to gain too many Republican voters. He painted a scenario where a primarily rural district could be created for a Republican.
His announcement on March 24 to not seek the congressional seat set up Assembly Member Jim Hayes (R-Erie) as the new frontrunner. Hayes, long thought to harbor congressional ambitions, found his campaign short circuited by the local Republican leadership, still seething from his January decision to not run for the seat of retiring State Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Erie County). Local Republicans believed Hayes would be a lock for that seat.
The absence of Maziarz and Hayes set off a firestorm of Republican interest, encompassing at leat 10 names of potential candidates. Speculation immediately centered on Wojtaszek, former Secretary of State Chris Jacobs and University at Buffalo executive Marsha Henderson, a former banking executive who Erie County Republicans have long wanted to run for office. Lewis’ name entered the mix late last week.
A Republican insider close to Collins said the new county executive wanted to find a partner who would help him in Washington. A long time businessman, Collins was elected in a landslide last year pledging to run the county like a business. He quickly focused on Lewis, who will be able to self-finance and discuss his long business record on the stump.
Henderson and Wojtaszek are considered unlikely to make the race for personal reasons. Jacobs, the former secretary of state, reiterated that he is reaching out to local Republicans and has received positive feedback from many, including Maziarz and Wojtaszek.
Jacobs has to battle criticism from some who say he is a lightweight skating by on his family’s name, while other detractors cite his losing race for the State Senate and one-week campaign for lieutenant governor two years ago. Jacobs’ family owns the Delaware North Companies, enabling him to self-finance, and is very powerful in the Buffalo area.
Jacobs said he was confident he could make a strong candidate, pointing to his leadership of a development company and government service, as well as his law degree and MBA.
The Republican chairs of the seven counties in the district have met to decide on a selection process, which Wojtaszek said should take a week. While this is being discussed, others said Collins has been pressing for Lewis, and that GOP leaders will be backing Lewis formally soon.
While the Republicans are maneuvering, Democrats may face upheaval too. Millionaire industrialist Jack Davis, who almost ousted Reynolds in 2006 will be announcing his candidacy on April 15 and is committing $3 million of his own money to the race. Iraq War Veteran Jon Powers has garnered support from the county parties in every county but Erie, the largest in the district, and has become the darling of Democratic young professionals in Manhattan. Environmental attorney Alice Kryzan is also in the mix, banking on the power of being the only female candidate.
But they all could be in for a surprise.
Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is making the rounds as a possible candidate and has said she will commit $500,000 of her own money to the race. Hochul was reportedly seen wearing a name tag identifying herself as a congressional candidate at an event in Amherst over the weekend.
Hochul spoke to the Niagara County Democratic executive committee last week, an appearance that was well received by party insiders. While some have said the committee could flip its endorsement to Hochul, County Chairman Dan Rivera said the party is committed to Powers.
johncelock@aol.com
Direct letters to the editor to editor@nycapitolnews.com.
Sources have confirmed that Rick Lewis, a Buffalo businessman who runs the Talking Phone Book, will be entering the race to succeed Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-Erie/Genessee). Lewis, who sold his family business several years ago in a multi-million deal, will commit at least $3 million of his own money to the race. He was recruited to the race by Erie County Executive Chris Collins, who is trying to establish himself as the region’s dominant Republican after taking office earlier this year.
The news comes as Republicans in the district are still digesting the decision by State Sen. George Maziarz (R-Niagara), long considered Reynolds’ natural successor, to skip the race.
Maziarz told local politicos and the leaders of Western New York’s leading labor unions that he would be making the congressional race within hours of Reynolds’ formal retirement announcement on March 20. His entrance into the race was considered so certain that both parties had settled on candidates for his Senate seat: Niagara County Republican Chairman Henry Wojtaszek and Lewiston Town Supervisor Fred Newlin (D).
Then came a meeting on Holy Saturday between Niagara County’s Republican hierarchy and Maziarz at his Wheatfield office. They discussed issues surrounding both the congressional race and Wojtaszek’s Senate race, according to sources familiar with the discussions. While the GOP hierarchy was convinced Wojtaszek could retain the Senate seat and that Maziarz could raise the necessary funds, even though he would not have been able to put all of his $800,000 Senate war chest into a congressional run.
But Maziarz said his wife, Beverly, ultimately put a stop to the idea of him going to Washington.
“My wife wasn’t that enthusiastic about it,” he said, noting he only married a few years ago. “Congress is 10 months a year and five days a week.”
Others note that redistricting may have played a role in his thought process. With census estimates predicting New York to lose between one and two congressional seats in 2012, Western New York Democrats have said the Reynolds district may be on the chopping block if held by a Republican. Maziarz, who has been in either elective or appointive public office his entire adult life, said this was not a consideration.
Maziarz said he believes a Republican seat will continue to exist in Western New York, as neither Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-Rochester and Buffalo) and Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) would want to gain too many Republican voters. He painted a scenario where a primarily rural district could be created for a Republican.
His announcement on March 24 to not seek the congressional seat set up Assembly Member Jim Hayes (R-Erie) as the new frontrunner. Hayes, long thought to harbor congressional ambitions, found his campaign short circuited by the local Republican leadership, still seething from his January decision to not run for the seat of retiring State Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Erie County). Local Republicans believed Hayes would be a lock for that seat.
The absence of Maziarz and Hayes set off a firestorm of Republican interest, encompassing at leat 10 names of potential candidates. Speculation immediately centered on Wojtaszek, former Secretary of State Chris Jacobs and University at Buffalo executive Marsha Henderson, a former banking executive who Erie County Republicans have long wanted to run for office. Lewis’ name entered the mix late last week.
A Republican insider close to Collins said the new county executive wanted to find a partner who would help him in Washington. A long time businessman, Collins was elected in a landslide last year pledging to run the county like a business. He quickly focused on Lewis, who will be able to self-finance and discuss his long business record on the stump.
Henderson and Wojtaszek are considered unlikely to make the race for personal reasons. Jacobs, the former secretary of state, reiterated that he is reaching out to local Republicans and has received positive feedback from many, including Maziarz and Wojtaszek.
Jacobs has to battle criticism from some who say he is a lightweight skating by on his family’s name, while other detractors cite his losing race for the State Senate and one-week campaign for lieutenant governor two years ago. Jacobs’ family owns the Delaware North Companies, enabling him to self-finance, and is very powerful in the Buffalo area.
Jacobs said he was confident he could make a strong candidate, pointing to his leadership of a development company and government service, as well as his law degree and MBA.
The Republican chairs of the seven counties in the district have met to decide on a selection process, which Wojtaszek said should take a week. While this is being discussed, others said Collins has been pressing for Lewis, and that GOP leaders will be backing Lewis formally soon.
While the Republicans are maneuvering, Democrats may face upheaval too. Millionaire industrialist Jack Davis, who almost ousted Reynolds in 2006 will be announcing his candidacy on April 15 and is committing $3 million of his own money to the race. Iraq War Veteran Jon Powers has garnered support from the county parties in every county but Erie, the largest in the district, and has become the darling of Democratic young professionals in Manhattan. Environmental attorney Alice Kryzan is also in the mix, banking on the power of being the only female candidate.
But they all could be in for a surprise.
Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is making the rounds as a possible candidate and has said she will commit $500,000 of her own money to the race. Hochul was reportedly seen wearing a name tag identifying herself as a congressional candidate at an event in Amherst over the weekend.
Hochul spoke to the Niagara County Democratic executive committee last week, an appearance that was well received by party insiders. While some have said the committee could flip its endorsement to Hochul, County Chairman Dan Rivera said the party is committed to Powers.
johncelock@aol.com
Direct letters to the editor to editor@nycapitolnews.com.
