Western New York Republicans plan to pick their nominee for the 26th District special election by early next week.
County chairs from the district's seven counties have been meeting with candidates who wish to be considered for the nomination this week, and on Sunday they'll meet with the seven hopefuls for a final time, will deliberate shortly thereafter and hope to hold a vote near the beginning of the week.
County chairs from the district's seven counties have been meeting with candidates who wish to be considered for the nomination this week, and on Sunday they'll meet with the seven hopefuls for a final time, will deliberate shortly thereafter and hope to hold a vote near the beginning of the week.
Candidates who have been meeting with the party officials include Assemblywoman Jane Corwin; tanning bed company owner Dan Humiston, who was the 2008 nominee in the neighboring 27th District against Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.); businessman Jack Davis, who twice challenged Lee's predecessor, former Rep. Tom Reynolds (R) as the Democratic nominee; Iraqi veteran and author David Bellavia; Amherst Town Supervisor Barry Weinstein; and talk radio host Kathy Weppner.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has yet to set a date for the special election, created by former Rep. Chris Lee's abrupt resignation last week following a report the married congressman had contacted a woman on Craigslist and sent her a topless photo. But local Republicans say they're moving ahead with choosing their nominee regardless, so they'll be prepared for the special election - especially since recent special elections in the state have not gone as planned.
"We've dedicated ourselves to this timeline, so that we need to be prepared for anything," Erie County Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy told Hotline On Call. "We're committed a to a time line that's aggressive."
What Republicans don't foresee happening is a split between their GOP nominee and whoever the Conservative Party candidate is, as happened in the 2009 special election in the 23rd District. Believing GOP nominee Dede Scozzafava to be too liberal, the Conservative Party chose Doug Hoffman to run on their line. Scozzafava withdrew just days before the election, but the damage was already done, and Democrat Bill Owens went on to win the election. "I expect we'll have cooperation with the Conservatives," said Langworthy. "I don't believe, knowing the candidates we have In front of us, that there's anyone they would balk at." Even though the district leans Republican, Democrats have signaled they're not conceding, and are also moving quickly to choose a candidate soon. Possible candidates include Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul, former Erie County Commissioner Kathy Konst, Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz and Amherst Town Board member Mark Manna. While Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel has downplayed Democratic chances in the district, the DCCC sent a staffer there this week to meet with local officials and potential candidates. Still, Israel told reporters this week that an "assessment" on the district would be made "in strict consultation and collaboration with the county chairs." Langworthy said "the Democratic party needs to have officials in Washington come up and tell them who their nominee is." Although Langworthy said he placed a "courtesy call" to National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, their process will be "completely contained within the counties." "No one in Washington or Albany has a seat at the table," said Langworthy. "Our nominee will be strictly decided by the local leaders. We are very committed to that and we feel very strongly that there needs to be local control."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/02/ny-26-republicans-to-pick-nominee-by-early-next-week-18
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has yet to set a date for the special election, created by former Rep. Chris Lee's abrupt resignation last week following a report the married congressman had contacted a woman on Craigslist and sent her a topless photo. But local Republicans say they're moving ahead with choosing their nominee regardless, so they'll be prepared for the special election - especially since recent special elections in the state have not gone as planned.
"We've dedicated ourselves to this timeline, so that we need to be prepared for anything," Erie County Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy told Hotline On Call. "We're committed a to a time line that's aggressive."
What Republicans don't foresee happening is a split between their GOP nominee and whoever the Conservative Party candidate is, as happened in the 2009 special election in the 23rd District. Believing GOP nominee Dede Scozzafava to be too liberal, the Conservative Party chose Doug Hoffman to run on their line. Scozzafava withdrew just days before the election, but the damage was already done, and Democrat Bill Owens went on to win the election. "I expect we'll have cooperation with the Conservatives," said Langworthy. "I don't believe, knowing the candidates we have In front of us, that there's anyone they would balk at." Even though the district leans Republican, Democrats have signaled they're not conceding, and are also moving quickly to choose a candidate soon. Possible candidates include Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul, former Erie County Commissioner Kathy Konst, Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz and Amherst Town Board member Mark Manna. While Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel has downplayed Democratic chances in the district, the DCCC sent a staffer there this week to meet with local officials and potential candidates. Still, Israel told reporters this week that an "assessment" on the district would be made "in strict consultation and collaboration with the county chairs." Langworthy said "the Democratic party needs to have officials in Washington come up and tell them who their nominee is." Although Langworthy said he placed a "courtesy call" to National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, their process will be "completely contained within the counties." "No one in Washington or Albany has a seat at the table," said Langworthy. "Our nominee will be strictly decided by the local leaders. We are very committed to that and we feel very strongly that there needs to be local control."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/02/ny-26-republicans-to-pick-nominee-by-early-next-week-18