LOCKPORT -- Niagara County's Republican leaders, bowing in part to their party's base, endorsed Carl P. Paladino for governor Tuesday, revoking their endorsement of Rick Lazio.

County GOP Chairman Michael P. Norris said at a news conference in downtown Lockport that a "sea of orange," the color of Paladino's ubiquitous campaign signs, was submerging the official stance in favor of Lazio, a former congressman from Long Island.

"I think the choice is clear," said Norris, who had endorsed Lazio last December, two months before the first reports surfaced that Paladino was going to run. "If you drive through Niagara County, down Route 31 or Route 104, people clearly want somebody like Carl Paladino to shake up Albany."

"Niagara County's endorsement proves confidence is growing among leading Republicans who know it is time to rid Albany of the ruling class and bring good government back to the people of New York," Paladino said.

Norris already had bowed to rank-and-file support for Paladino during nominating petition season in June or July. In an unusual move, he allowed committeemen to carry Paladino's nominating petitions without fear of political reprisal.

Normally, committeemen who seek signatures for candidates other than those endorsed by the party pay a political price for their stance.

"I drove from Barker to Bergholz, and I haven't seen a single Rick Lazio sign," Norris said. "Clearly, the people want real change. ... Their message is loud and clear."

"I am thankful for the support from Chairman Norris and the Niagara County Republican Committee," Paladino said. "Mike Norris believes in the Republican principles of lower taxes and less government, and that's why he believes in this campaign."

The entire battery of top GOP elected officials in the county was on hand to support Paladino, including State Sen. George D. Maziarz, Lockport Mayor Michael W. Tucker, North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt, Wheatfield Supervisor Robert B. Cliffe and County Legislator John D. Ceretto, who is running for assemblyman in the 138th District.

Also present was County Legislature Chairman William L. Ross, a Conservative whose state party has endorsed Lazio.

"I've got a lot of respect for Rick Lazio," Maziarz said, "but clearly his campaign is not taking off, and Carl's is resonating."

Maziarz said he likes Paladino's stance on the New York Power Authority, a frequent Maziarz target. "Carl says he wants to keep more of its assets here," Maziarz said.

After the news conference, Paladino and Ceretto walked two blocks down Main Street to the Niagara County Board of Elections to file nominating petitions for Ceretto to run on Paladino's independent Taxpayer Party line in November.

Paladino's statewide petitions for the new party are to be filed in Albany. If they withstand possible challenges, they would guarantee him a spot on the November ballot even if Lazio beats Paladino in the GOP primary Sept. 14.

tprohaska@buffnews.comnull