State Sen. William T. Stachowski, who is expected to face tough opposition this year from his own Democrats, won the backing of party leaders during a meeting Saturday at Democratic Headquarters in Ellicott Square.

“The overwhelming feeling is that Bill Stachowski is a workhorse, not a show horse,” county Democratic Party Chairman Len Lenihan told The Buffalo News moments after the unanimous vote was taken. “While he might not be fancy at times, he gets things done.”

Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy, D-Buffalo, Stachowski’s main Democratic opponent, anticipated today’s action. Kennedy did not seek the party endorsement and did not attend the meeting. Kennedy said the only endorsement he will seek is from Democratic voters in the Sept. 14 primary.

“While the party bosses are in downtown Buffalo preparing to endorse an incumbent who has been in Albany for nearly 30 years,” Kennedy said, “I will be walking door-to-door in Cheektowaga, challenging the status quo, spreading a message of change, and listening to voters who are fed up with Albany.”

He said the voters are “disrespected by party bosses who would prefer to sweep Albany’s problems under the rug to gain yet another term for an entrenched incumbent.”

Stachowski said Kennedy’s comment about party bosses is an “insult” to the “hard-working” people who make up the Democratic Party Committee.

“The only party boss [Kennedy] pays attention to is the Republican Erie County executive,” Stachowski responded, referring to Chris Collins.

Stachowski said he believes Democrats in the State Senate have started to make strides in reforming Albany in the past year, and he’s confident the progress will continue.

Lenihan insisted that Stachowski has played key roles in steering millions of dollars in state aid to the Buffalo area.

Attorneys Sean Cooney and Michael Kuzma have also said they expect to run in the primary.

The Erie County Democratic Committee also endorsed Antoine M. Thompson in his bid for re-election to the State Senate and Thomas DiNapoli in his bid for re-election as Erie County comptroller.

The committee unanimously passed a resolution urging State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo to enter the race for governor. Lenihan said he believes Erie County becomes the first county to take such an action. Gov. David A. Paterson ended his campaign for a four-year term on Friday.

The Democratic committee also endorsed the re-election bid of State Sen. Antoine M. Thompson of Buffalo, who faced no opposition.