| If anyone thought the Repubicans were going to have an easy time picking their candidate for the 26th congressional district they were sadly mistaken.
David Bellavia is already declared, but has not enjoyed support like some of the other candidates. Christopher Lee, a Buffalo area businessman, is the current frontrunner but he may also face a tough fight for the nomination, according to the Buffalo News:
Talking Phone Book President Rick Lewis offers the main opposition to Lee in an effort strongly backed by County Executive Chris Collins. Lewis said Tuesday he has the support of Erie County Republican Chairman James P. Domagalski and his Niagara County counterpart, Henry F. Wojtaszek.
And in what could loom as a major development, Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph C. Lorigo said late Tuesday he is "moving toward" supporting Lewis.
"Nothing is final, because I need to talk to some more people," Lorigo said. "But I am moving in that direction."
If Lorigo stays on that course, observers say that could dramatically strengthen the Lewis case as Republicans strive to avoid dividing their vote among three candidates in the November general election, with Lee potentially on the GOP line, Lewis on the Conservative line and a Democrat.
"The Conservative Party, to me, could possibly have an influence in that situation," Lorigo said.
So far, Lee has received a public endorsement from Monroe County Republican chair Steve Minarik and he has the backing of Erie County Executive Chris Collins.
But Lewis says he has the support of the Erie and Niagara GOP heads (Domagalski and Wojtaszek) which would create a divide in this race. And with the Conservative Party saying they support Lewis, this could be headed to a very interesting primary.
The aforementioned Bellavia had this to say about the process thus far:
"There have been chairmen in this process who have not acted in good faith," Bellavia said Tuesday. "I have jumped through every hoop, and the bar has been moved multiple times."
I don't know who to blame more - The GOP heads or Bellavia. The GOP heads have, by all accounts, given every candidate a shot. But Bellavia has shown that he would rather introduce John McCain in Washington D.C. than focus on this district.
That said, I am glad to see that the GOP seems to be headed for a primary in September as well. That will level the playing field for our side, considering our primary situation. |
