Wojtaszek stepping down as leader of Niagara GOP
Henry F. Wojtaszek will resign next week as Niagara County Republican Chairman to return to his private law practice and spend more time with his family.
"It's time to get back out there and get back to work, and maybe coach my son's basketball team," Wojtaszek said this morning.
Wojtaszek, 46, has led the Niagara County GOP since 2000. He said today he is leaving after a string of victories in Tuesday's elections, including capturing most offices in the City of North Tonawanda, winning almost all town supervisor posts, and building a 14-to-5 Republican majority in the County Legislature.
He said he leaves at a time when the party "has never been stronger."
"We recruited outstanding candidates at all levels for public office," he said. "Our candidates offered voters ideas for improving our community and then delivered. For that, the voters have consistently given us their support.
"I am most proud of our work at the county level, where voters have elected a Republican majority for four straight elections," he added. "That is proof that running a good government makes for good politics."
Wojtaszek, a North Tonawanda native, said he expects the party will name former Elections Commissioner Michael Norris as the new chairman when it convenes next Thursday in the Wheatfield Community Center.
"Mike is an attorney, a great tactician, and very smart," he said.
Wojtaszek leaves the party helm after a bruising and unsuccessful effort to become the new chairman of the state party, losing to Manhattan attorney Edward F. Cox in September. He received substantial support around the state, including from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
But as Wojtaszek deferred to former state Chairman Joseph N. Mondello of Nassau County, who delayed his decision to step aside, Cox gained overwhelming backing from county chairmen across the state.
Wojtaszek said his defeat has nothing to do with his decision to resign, and everything to do with returning to the Harris Beach law firm he left two months ago to pursue the state chairmanship.
"The time has come to hand the reins off to someone else and pursue some other interests and career goals," he said. "My work with the party takes up a lot of time and energy. My wife and three children have been more than patient with me."
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