County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy’s State Senate primary campaign has tallied a major victory with backing from the West Seneca Democratic Committee, prompting incumbent William T. Stachowski to accuse him of using “back door tricks” to secure the endorsement.

Kennedy, of Buffalo, said Tuesday the action by the 58th District’s second-largest Democratic committee is “a demonstration of our campaign gaining momentum by the day and an understanding that if we are going to change Albany, we need to change the people we send there.”

While some in the Stachowski camp had anticipated that Dan McParlane, chairman of the West Seneca party, and Supervisor Wallace C. Piotrowski would stick with the incumbent, McParlane joined in the move to Kennedy.

“The status quo simply isn’t good enough for our future generations, and we need to elect leaders who will stand up for hardworking Western New Yorkers,” McParlane said.

But Stachowski, of Lake View, called the endorsement a “not so shocking piece of news” and accused Kennedy, assisted by “conspirator Christina Bove” (a county legislator from West Seneca), of secretly changing the date of an already scheduled endorsement meeting.

“Using some of the same underhanded tactics he used to aid County Executive Chris Collins in seizing control of the County Legislature, Tim Kennedy has once again shown his true colors,” Stachowski said.

Stachowski said he never was informed that the endorsement meeting had been rescheduled.

“I, nor my staff, or even county Democratic officials were notified of any change in the meeting date,” Stachowski said. “I was never able to make my case to the committee, to discuss my accomplishments for West Seneca, including millions for new roads and other critical improvements. It seems I can only expect more deceit from Tim in the future.”

While Stachowski insiders say they still expect to receive significant support from party regulars in West Seneca, the endorsement gives Kennedy a major bragging point for as he snares the first official town endorsement of the primary campaign. Stachowski is gearing up for a bruising campaign against Kennedy and attorneys Sean Cooney and Michael Kuzma.

Leonard R. Lenihan, chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party and a Stachowski supporter, acknowledged that Kennedy has seized some momentum. But he, too, called the Monday meeting a “setup and sort of a trick play.”

“This is one small element in a broader picture of the primary and general election,” he said.