Published: July 13, 2008 12:47 am      

POLITICS: Rookie runs for Assembly

Dennis D. Cehulik supported by Democrats and Conservatives, while Republicans squabble

Running in a Republican gerrymandered stronghold, Dennis D. Cehulik, 51, hopes to appeal to workers and farmers as the Democrat and Conservative parties endorsed candidate in the 142nd New York State Assembly.

Cehulik, a recently retired Delphi worker, is making his political debut and may be able to take advantage of the Republican squabbling over the GOP choice, incumbent Mike Cole or Jane Corwin of Clarence. Corwin will challenge Cole in the primary.

“We have a fight going on between a multimillionaire woman who never ran for anything before and a young guy who doesn’t serve the community well,” said Leonard R. Lenihan, the Erie County Democratic chairman. “The leadership of the Republican party is fighting between the two of them and neither of them reflect the working class values that Dennis has.”

The 142nd District includes Lockport, the Town of Lockport and Royalton in Niagara County and Clarence, Alden, Elma and Marilla in Erie County. Cehulik chose Niagara County Produce, which is on the border of the two counties on Transit Road, to launch his campaign.

Cehulik, a registered Conservative, lives in the Town of Lockport. He retired in May from General Motors/Delphi after a 31-year-career. His wife, Cyd, and son, Robbie, 3, greeted supporters at the announcement site.

Robbie shook hands with everyone, like a seasoned politician.

“I intend to fully support the local farmers, wineries and agri-tourism business in this district,” Cehulik said. “I’ve been told the horror stories. It’s dirty. It’s thankless. It’s slanderous. Why do you want to put yourself through that? I can no longer stand on the sidelines and complain about the taxes, gas prices, health care costs and state mandates.

“I’m the type of person who can’t just sit back. I’ve got to be involved in things ... It’s time to get lean.”

Cehulik, who was involved in competitive sports most of his life, said he is competitive by nature. A left-handed pitcher for the University at Buffalo in 1978 and ’79, he had tryouts with the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. He did not graduate from UB but went to work for Harrison Radiator in Amherst before transferring to the Lockport plant.

Pat Schrader, a city of Lockport alderman, said, “He has the passion and heart to do the job and it’s about time we had someone who wants to represent the people and the farmers and all the community instead of just the political interests. I realize the Republicans gerrymandered this district to their advantage, but I think we can take it back.”

The district was drawn up in 2002.

Dan Rivera, the Niagara Democratic Chairman, introduced Cehulik. Niagara County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy James Voutour, a candidate for Niagara County Sheriff, was also on hand to support the new candidate.

A 15-foot dragon cut out had a sign that read, “Cost of Government Dragon You Down? The one to pick is Dennis Cehulik.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

at 439-9222, ext. 6246.