Who’s running in NY-26 on the Republican side?
There’s a lot of speculation about who will get into the race in NY-26 on the Republican side. Here’s what Robert Harding has to say over at the Albany Project:
As for the Republican side, multiple sources are saying that Sen. George Maziarz may announce as early as next week his intentions to run for the Republican nomination in the 26th district. Maziarz has been talked about for a long time as the future replacement to Reynolds should he not run or retires, like he did yesterday.
That being said, Assemblyman Jim Hayes was interviewed yesterday and said that he will give this some serious consideration. For some background, Hayes announced that he would not run in the 61st Senate District for Sen. Mary Lou Rath’s seat which will be vacated by the retiring Rath at the end of the year.
Over at the Buffalo News, Mark Leitner and Chris Caya agree Hayes and Maziarz are likely candidates and add some more names into the mix:
Aside from the lawmakers, other local Republicans reportedly considering a run for Reynolds seat include Buffalo Attorney Michael Powers, and Kenmore native Nick Sinatra, who currently works at the White House.
WGRZ news says Assemblyman Jim Dan Burling may run as well:
Burling, who lives in the Genesee County Town of Alexander, is also a Republican member of the NY State Assembly, representing the 147th District. In fact, he won the seat after Reynolds left it vacant to run for Congress a decade ago. It also includes many areas which are within the 26th Congressional District.
Burling also confirmed he’s interested in following Reynolds in the House of Representatives.
And WHAM’s Jane Flasch brings up another possibility:
He led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, and in 2002 was inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame. Could Jim Kelly soon add “Congressman†to his resume?
I’ve seen Jim Kelly speak on tv and he’s not the shiniest helmet in the equipment bag. He’s not real big on humility either. Here’s what he said when he was approached about running for county office a few years ago:
“Nah, I ain’t going small, I’m going to go right to the top,†Kelly said. “No, if I’m going to do anything it’s either Senator or Congressman.â€
What? How can this be? Why is there no mention of Jon Auburger? Weren’t the “experts” here consulted?
I know Minirek makes a great whipping boy for ya’ll but speaking on behalf of voters in the more Western parts of the state all I can say is; “Steve who?”
I actually agree with you that it is more likely to be someone from the Buffalo area.
By the way, it’s getting to be spring — shouldn’t you be out on the white water on a Saturday morning like this? What kind of a WhiteWaterDude are you anyway?
One who’s older and wiser.
Hmmm…shouldn’t it be whwtrgrpa then?
Obviously someone did their homework on Auberger and Minarik and said hell no. Instead, lets go with Jim Kelly. “Gee Davey, what do you think”. Let’s do it! He was never able to win a superbowl, but dag nab it, he could be a congressmin!
HAHAHA! Yeah Whitedood - you’re party has alot to be proud of. Now what happens next? All the GOP move to Buffalo and delcare war on the rest of the state?
This seat is mainly about Buffalo, so a Buffalo-area candidate is most likely, but EVERY Republican office holder in the district is probably mulling it over this week, including some we haven’t heard about yet from Genesee and Livingston county, plus Auberger and Robach in Monroe. Aside from Reynolds himself, no Republican in the region has name recongnition in every part of the district. BOTTOM LINE: Increasing likelihood of a PRIMARY CONTEST on the Republican side, which will benefit the Dems, especially if Jon Powers can nail down his nomination.