Published: August 13, 2006 01:51 am      

138TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT: Sides line up

Undercurrent of Erie County influence marks race between DelMonte and Parenti.

The political lines have been drawn.

The Assembly race between incumbent Francine DelMonte and challenger Gary Parenti, expected to be one of the closest primaries in Western New York, has divided local Democrats.

In DelMonte’s camp: elected Democrats such as Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Mayor Vince Anello, Council Chairman Charles Walker and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples of Buffalo. The Niagara and Erie County Democratic committees are also backing DelMonte.

In Parenti’s camp: Former state Sen. Anthony Nanula, Niagara County Legislator Renae Kimble, Councilman Sam Fruscione and former Erie County Chairman G. Steven Pigeon.

There are countless others who are refusing to take sides because the race looks to be too close to call.

The demarcation between the camps was no more apparent than at rally last week where both sides staged picnics in Centre Court.

DelMonte scheduled her event as a forum for Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to give her his endorsement, while the Parenti camp, which planned their rally when it heard about DelMonte’s, was intent on making some news of its own.

The endorsement is somewhat intriguing because Parenti and Parenti’s ally, Pigeon, worked for Brown when he was a state senator.

For some Parenti supporters, Brown’s decision to endorse DelMonte was an affront to Parenti, who worked on Brown’s behalf in Niagara Falls.

“He’s out of line with this one,” said Parenti supporter Ron Cunningham.

Parenti said he’s not surprised by Brown’s move and he wasn’t hurt by it.

“This business is hardball,” Parenti said. “I can play with the best of them.”

Brown fired Pigeon and Parenti resigned.

Asked whether DelMonte’s endorsement was more about settling old scores with his former employees, Brown said no, it was all about DelMonte.

He praised DelMonte’s ability to get school aid and other funds for the 138th District.

“I think it’s critical to retain that presence in the Legislature,” said Brown, who served as senator in the 60th District during DelMonte’s tenure in the Assembly.

DelMonte declined to comment on the rival rally other than to say that Brown endorsed her because they are friends.

The charge by some DelMonte supporters that Erie County political players were helping Parenti and wanted control of Niagara Falls and the slot-machine revenue that will flow into it was turned on DelMonte at the rally when Parenti supporters carried signs that read: “Hey Francine, first Lenihan now Byron? Say no to Erie County politics.”

The “Lenihan” is Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan, who said DelMonte’s capable of running her own race but if she needs support from his committee, he’ll lend it.

Also on DelMonte’s side is Grassroots, an Erie County organization that is closely aligned with Brown.

Grassroots Chairwoman Karla Thomas said her organization couldn’t make a formal endorsement because they don’t have a Niagara County chapter.

“She fights fearlessly and she fights fair,” said Thomas, who worked for Peoples in the Assembly.

Pigeon made plenty of enemies in Erie County, and some observers — including many who support DelMonte — believe Parenti’s bid is a way for Pigeon to establish another power base.

“I think he’s trying to support a person who is very close to him,” said Erie County Clerk David Swarts, who helped organize the charge to oust Pigeon from the committee.

Pigeon resigned from the chairman’s post in 2002 after a failed attempt by disgruntled committee members in 2000.

“We’re watching (the race) down here with great interest,” said Dennis Ward, Erie County Elections Commissioner and Pigeon opponent.

Nanula counts himself in Parenti’s inner circle and said he’s been Parenti’s life-long friend.

The fact that Parenti appears to be gaining ground against an incumbent is an accomplishment because the state Legislature’s re-election rate is over 97 percent, Nanula said.

“There’s a lot of unrest among the electorate,” Nanula said. “People are fed up with the condition of Albany.”

He continued: “I feel a passion and a frustration within Gary. I’m hopeful that will translate into action in Albany.”

Nanula said fears that Pigeon will control Parenti are unfounded.

“He’s not going to be anybody’s rubber stamp,” he said. “This race isn’t about Erie County influence. It’s about Gary being a fresh face in this community.”

Pigeon did not return a call seeking comment.

The winner of the Sept. 12 Democratic primary will of course, be up to far more people than those at the epicenter of both campaigns.

In the midst of the struggle for votes between DelMonte and Parenti, Republican Dan Bazzani has stayed out of the fray.

He issued a news release this week calling for greater use of alternative fuels.

DelMonte supporters say her seniority, her good relationship with Eliot Spitzer, New York’s next governor if opinion polls are to be believed, and her work ethic make her the better candidate.

“I’ve known her family for the last 20 years,” said DelMonte supporter Arthur Ray. “She does what she says she does.”

Parenti supporters say the incumbent hasn’t done enough for the district and she’s too close with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, which makes her reluctant to reform Albany’s problems.

“We need an advocate for the people of Niagara Falls,” said Kimble, adding that DelMonte should have waited until Spitzer was in office before agreeing to a casino cash deal that sent a chunk of the money to a state agency like USA Niagara.