CONGRESS
Konst officially enters House race
By Irene Liguori
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 06/05/08 6:38 AM
Kathy Konst made it official Wednesday on the steps of Lancaster Town Hall: She has joined the Democratic field seeking to succeed Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R Clarence.
Surrounded by about 40 supporters waving campaign signs, the second-term Erie County legislator touted her record as the only candidate who brings both business and legislative experience to the race.
“Over the past few months,” Konst said, “I’ve watched a parade of candidates come forward, and like many of the people who contacted me, I noticed that the field lacked experience. . . . I’ve cut taxes, created laws and balanced government budgets.”
As president of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, she said, she also has helped businesses to invest in the community, created private sector jobs and kept young people in Western New York.
The race for Reynolds’ seat now officially includes a four-way Democratic battle among Konst; Jack Davis of Clarence, who has promised to spend $3 million of his own money on his third campaign for the seat; Jonathan P. Powers of Clarence, an Iraq War veteran and former substitute teacher who has the Democratic endorsement; and Alice J. Kryzan, an Amherst attorney.
On the Republican side, former businessman Christopher J. Lee has become the sole candidate after more than a dozen others initially expressed interest.
Konst, 50, has made a point of saying she is not beholden to any special interests and that she considers herself an independent voice.
The Chicago native graduated from the University of Arizona, where she met her husband, attorney Harry Konst. The couple has lived in Lancaster since 1992, when they returned to the area to raise their children on the site of a former grist mill owned by Harry Konst’s father. They call Lancaster “Mayberry,” a reference to its neighborly charm.
Konst has been active in several charitable organizations.
