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.

“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.”

Other county chairmen in Western New York who have endorsed Paladino include Nick Langworthy of Erie County, Richard Siebert of Genesee County and Ed Morgan of Orleans County.

tprohaska@buffnews.comnull