By Mark Scheer<br><a href="mailto:scheerm@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Mark</a>
The Tonawanda News
July 02, 2009 12:07 am
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Political aspirations have drawn Niagara County Republican Party Chairman Henry Wojtaszek away from his full-time job.
The long-time chairman of the local GOP resigned from his position with the law firm Harris Beach effective Wednesday.
Wojtaszek said he did so because he is planning to seek support for election to the coveted job of New York State Republican Party Chairman.
“I’m exploring the possibility of running for state chairman,” Wojtaszek said.
Wojtaszek has long been rumored as a potential replacement candidate for embattled state GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello. To secure the job, Wojtaszek would need support during a September election from New York’s 62 county chairmen and state committee members.
“It’s a full-time job to go around the state and talk to the people who make that decision,” Wojtaszek said of making the bid for state party leader.
The former North Tonawanda city attorney has been chairman of the local GOP since 2000. He joined Harris Beach in 2005 when the firm expanded its offices into Niagara County and has worked as a member of the firm’s governmental and quasi-governmental agencies industry team. His name and biographical information have already been removed from the Harris Beach Web site.
“Henry Wojtaszek resigned from Harris Beach to pursue Republican Party activities full-time,” Harris Beach spokesman William Albert said in a statement released by the firm. “This is an amicable departure and we wish him good luck.”
Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250
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