Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan is recovering in Buffalo General Hospital after undergoing heart bypass surgery Friday afternoon.
Lenihan had been feeling ill over the past few days and reported to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital on Thursday for tests, said Jeremy Zellner, the party's executive director.
He was then referred to Buffalo General for the surgery.
"Doctors said the surgery went well and that the chairman will soon be back on his feet," Zellner said.
Lenihan, 60, encounters his latest difficulty after two recent hip replacement surgeries. But Zellner said doctors believe he is in overall good health and expected to make a full recovery.
The chairman's hospitalization occurs just days before he was scheduled to act as official host of the State Democratic Committee's fall meeting in Buffalo on Tuesday and Wednesday. Zellner said local officers are expected to stand in for Lenihan.
It has been a tough year for Lenihan. It is good to hear that the surgery was successful and that he is in otherwise good health.
Our best goes out to Lenihan today and we hope he makes a speedy recovery.
The Buffalo News 
