After 35 years in elective office, State Sen. William T. Stachowski of Lake View is about to face a phalanx of other Democrats who want to end his run as one of the most enduring figures in local and state politics.

County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy of South Buffalo is emerging as top challenger and appears to have the backing of such major Democrats as Rep. Brian Higgins.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars and significant political capital are about to be spent on a seat that for 28 years was considered untouchable for anyone but “Stack.”

“I sat face to face with Bill Stachowski out of respect for him and his three decades of public service to this community,” Kennedy said last week. “But I believe people want change and that the citizens of New York State and Western New York are angry at Albany.”

Kennedy, 33, says he expects to report more than $100,000 in his campaign treasury next month, especially after facing no opponent in his re-election to the County Legislature last month. He also said he would welcome the support of B. Thomas Golisano, the billionaire owner of the Buffalo Sabres, who has hinted at duplicating last year’s effort when his organization Responsible New York spent $4.4 million, mostly on State Senate candidates.

Other challengers making rounds include County Legislator Daniel M. Kozub of Lackawanna and attorney Sean Cooney of Buffalo. Lackawanna Mayor Norman L. Polanski, Cheektowaga Councilman James Rogowski and attorney Dennis C. Gaughan of Hamburg also have been mentioned for the seat. Michael Kuzma, senior legislative assistant to Council President David A. Franczyk, said he will run on a “left of center” platform.

All are making their case for “change” after the quirky and unconventional Republican campaign waged by Dennis Delano, a former Buffalo police detective, came within 6 percentage points of defeating Stachowski.

In addition, Democrats in Albany appear to remain miffed that Stachowski needed substantial dollars for a seat previously thought safe. Several sources say party leaders may let the primary process unfold, then concentrate on the Democrat who emerges from the local fray.

Because of all that activity, some wonder whether Stachowski will forgo another term, especially if polling results expected soon show that he cannot win.

The senator dismisses any such thought.

“I don’t know where they get that from,” Stachowski said when referring to rumors of job offers from the administration of Gov. David A. Paterson. “And who would give up their seat for a job in this administration? . . . I’m planning to run for re-election.”

Leonard R. Lenihan, chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party, said he will stick with Stachowski if he runs, providing the senator with support from at least one important faction of the party.

But the expected loss of the Higgins organization is especially significant after the congressman’s troops worked overtime to assist Stachowski last year.

Buffalo’s Deputy Mayor Steven M. Casey said Kennedy has told Mayor Byron W. Brown of his intentions, but the mayor has not given anyone his support at this point.

Stachowski, 60, acknowledges that Kennedy had spoken to him about mounting a challenge in next September’s Democratic primary, and he wasted no time in criticizing the effort.

“I thought he just ran for re-election and told the people of his district he would be serving them,” Stachowski said. “He hasn’t even been sworn in yet, and he’s looking to leave.”

Stachowski has about $166,000 in his campaign account, but is expected to report substantially more next month after a summer of fundraising. In addition, he has assumed a much higher profile in recent months after Democrats became the majority in the State Senate.

But the race against Delano left Stachowski politically bruised, his veneer of invulnerability stripped away. As a result, he can expect his first primary since David B. Kelly, a former Board of Education member, unsuccessfully challenged him in 1982.

The situation has also piqued the interest of Republicans, who despite an overwhelming enrollment disadvantage, might counter with Assemblyman Jack F. Quinn III of Hamburg. Bearing the same name as his perennially successful father — former Rep. Jack F. Quinn Jr. — and building substantial political capital of his own after five years in the Assembly, the younger Quinn acknowledged his interest.

“I’ve been approached by a number of people in the Buffalo area about this seat,” he said. “I’ll see how the chips fall between now and next year. But for now, I will sit tight and just watch.”

Other Republicans predict Quinn will not sacrifice a safe seat in the Assembly for a minority State Senate post.

Some Democratic observers lining up behind Kennedy say Republicans will be most interested if Stachowski wins in the primary, which many see as more than possible — especially in a crowded field.

“If Bill is the candidate, it will be a target seat for Republicans,” said a Kennedy backer who asked not to be identified.

The dynamics of the Senate race seem to be working against Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder, a South Buffalo Democrat whom many expected would graduate to the upper house, followed by Kennedy to the Assembly. But Schroeder has promised Stachowski that he will not run as long as his longtime ally remains in the race.

He calls Kennedy’s candidacy “disrespectful,” adding that he is stuck in neutral unless Stachowski announces very early next year that he is not a candidate — which he does not expect.

“TK has got the wheel,” he said of Kennedy. “There’s not much I can do about it, though it does not seem that this is the best way to do it.”

Kennedy, meanwhile, is seeking the often important backing of the Independence Party. If he does receive financial support from Golisano, the Independence Party — essentially controlled in upstate New York by Golisano associate G. Steven Pigeon— also could be expected to back him.

Kennedy recently has nurtured close relations with County Executive Chris Collins, a Republican who also has established ties to Pigeon. Those relationships — along with his endorsement of Republican Timothy B. Howard in the last sheriff election— could cause problems for Kennedy with some Democrats. But he said he goes out of his way to work with all parties.

Sources close to Kennedy expect a formal announcement of his candidacy very early next year.