Published: January 30, 2008 09:28 pm      

ERIE COUNTY NOTEBOOK: Legislators eye state senate seat

The announcement that State Sen. Mary Lou Rath will retire at the end of this year has started speculation as to who the seat’s next occupant will be.

With presidential contenders setting the bar high for early campaigning, both parties are already looking for viable contenders. Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, is the person Rath said would be a logical choice to run, but Hayes said he is too focused on the state budget process to even think about the option right now.

“We have a rigorous set of hearings in the next two to three weeks delving into what this year’s budget means for residents of Niagara and Erie counties,” Hayes said. “There will be a time for politics, but not right now.”

That’s not stopping others from lining up for the job, and many of the names being kicked around are current or former Erie County legislators.

In the Republican leaning 61st District, a top GOP contender is Dr. Barry Weinstein, who recently left his seat in the Erie County Legislature for a spot on the Amherst Town Board. Weinstein said he’s very interested in the seat, which he sees as an opportunity to preserve the balance of power in Albany. He is also concerned with possible national implications of Republicans losing their tenuous 33-29 majority in the senate.

“If the state senate is won by the Democrats, who control the assembly and the governor’s office, they’ll be able to reapportion the congressional districts any way they want,” Weinstein said.

Legislator Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Clarence, said he would find the position challenging and interesting, but that he still has to talk to a lot of community members before making a decision about whether to run.

Bob Newman, who ran unsuccessfully for Town of Tonawanda Supervisor last year, is also taking a serious look at joining the race. He said Sen. Rath has left big shoes to fill, but is still unsure if the area will vote for change or business as usual.

“This gives us the opportunity that we had in Erie County last fall with Chris Collins,” Newman said. “Now, I have to ascertain whether the voters want fresh faces in Albany and will pull the lever for change or to continue with the status quo.”

Crossing the aisle, Legislator Michele Iannello, D-Kenmore, said she was looking at running for the seat even if Rath had stayed, so this opening presents even more of an opportunity.

“In 2000, the difference was 13,000 votes,” Iannello said of the Republican lead in registered voters throughout the 61st District. “Today that difference is less than 7,000 and there are 35,000 who left party affiliation blank, so I think a Democrat could easily overcome those numbers.”

Amherst Town Councilman Dan Ward, Iannello’s brother-in-law and a former county legislator, has also thrown his hat into the ring. Iannello said she would respect the state party’s decision for the endorsement and is hopeful that others would do the same without a primary.

“In my opinion, it’s an important seat for the Democrats and a primary would only hinder whoever gets the party nod,” Iannello said. “At this point, I wouldn’t think anyone would want to hinder that.”

Ward, who is looking to reform IDAs, revise and repeal laws he thinks have run their course, and help residents initiate their own legislation, said he’s wary of saying he won’t take the nomination to a primary, but hopes it won’t come to that.

“I’d like to think the committee will consider me a talented and experienced candidate for the position,” Ward said.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynn Marinelli, D-Town of Tonawanda, is being named as another possible candidate, but she had not returned calls as of press time.

Contact reporter Daniel Pyeat 693-1000, ext. 158.