Published: April 29, 2008 01:41 am            

POLITICS: GOP chairmen pick Lee for Reynolds' seat

Christopher J. Lee of Clarence is the consensus candidate of the Republican committees in the U.S. House of Representatives 26th District race.

Lee emerged as the top vote-getter among seven county GOP chairmen who met Monday night to decide who the party will back.

The vote was not unanimous, but, Gordon Brown, Wyoming County GOP committee chairman, said the committees “uniformly” will be supporting Lee. It means all committees will carry his designating petitions to get his name on the ballot.

Lee, 43, previously owned and ran International Motion Control. He is currently running the Patrick Lee Foundation.

Lee is expected to launch his candidacy around the district Wednesday in stops including Lockport.

Bidding by GOP hopefuls in the race has been fierce, since incumbent U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, announced he is retiring at the end of the year. Interested persons, including Talking Phone Book executive Rick Lewis, and military veteran/author David Bellavia were informed of the GOP leaders’ vote Monday night. Brown said he could not predict whether any of those not picked will try to run a primary for the coveted ballot spot.

“We’ve tried to make the process fair and fully open,” he said. “We hope everyone respects the decision ... but there are no guarantees.”

Of all the potentials interviewed, Brown said, Lee stood out for a demonstrated ability, in his professional life, to build consensus. “He’s very articulate, very bright.”

On the Democratic side, three are vying for their party line: Industrialist Jack Davis of Akron, military veteran Jonathan Powers of Clarence and environmental attorney Alice Kryzan of Amherst.

The 26th U.S. House District includes territory in Niagara, Erie, Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties.

        

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