subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Nov 25 2009 

Published: January 30, 2008 09:28 pm    print this story  

ERIE COUNTY NOTEBOOK: Legislators eye state senate seat

By Daniel Pye/pyed@gnnewspaper.com

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.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

FOREMAN & LABORERS
Basement Waterproofing co. needs a foreman & laborers for expanding business, exp. w/interior drain tile a plus, 471-723...>MORE

Hospitality/Tourism Instructor
Hospitality/Tourism. NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time instructor to teach hospita...>MORE

Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A
TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR
DEDICATED RUNS
No touch freight............Good miles
...>MORE

Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE

MST Therapists
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
MST
...>MORE

Dietitian
Dietitian with duties to incl. cooking & ability to give direction in a health facility's dietary dept. Benefits incl. 4...>MORE

Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES
Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside
...>MORE

Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE

Cook
COOK full time.
Apply in person only,
Augie’s Diner,
2470 Military Rd.
...>MORE

Used Car Lot Helper
USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE

Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE

Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE

Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548, 297-1526
...>MORE

Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE

Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495.
716-525-2889
...>MORE

1996 Saturn Sport Coup
SATURN 1996 Sport coup, 4 cyl, auto, exc cond in & out, loaded, CD, no rust, 97k orig. mi, $2195. 523-7102....>MORE

Chevy 1994 High Topper Van
CHEVY 1994 High topper van, high road miles, mechanically sound, $900 or bo, 716-510-8105...>MORE

Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE

1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE

See all ads




 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index