Ex-Rep. LaFalce endorses Kryzan as ‘exceptional’ for Congress
Former Rep. John J. LaFalce Thursday endorsed Alice Kryzan for Congress, giving a big-name boost to a candidate who has lagged in fundraising and media attention behind her rivals for the Democratic nomination in the 26th District.
“I couldn’t stay silent any longer with such an exceptional candidate in the field,” LaFalce said.
Saying he is convinced Kryzan, a longtime environmental lawyer from Amherst, can win next Tuesday’s primary, LaFalce added: “You have to look at intellect, judgment, knowledge and character, and on any of these criteria, she is head and shoulders above the other candidates.”
LaFalce praised Jon Powers, the Iraq War veteran who has party and union backing in the race, but only to a point.
“I think Jon Powers is a fine young man, but I think Alice is 100 times better qualified to be the congressman from this district,” he said.
LaFalce also indicated that he “would not share” the views of Jack Davis, the millionaire industrialist from Akron who has dismissed health care as among the nation’s “side issues” and who backs President Bush’s tax cuts.
“I can back Alice because she is a true Democrat,” said La- Falce, a former colleague of Kryzan’s at a local law firm. “Her convictions are the convictions of the Democratic Party.”
LaFalce, from the Town of Tonawanda, served in the House from 1975 to 2003. His district at times overlapped parts of the current 26th District, which stretches from Amherst to suburban Rochester.
Kryzan previously won the endorsement of the New York League of Conservation Voters, but all the local Democratic county committees and more than two dozen labor unions have backed Powers, who continued to build his support from the Democratic establishment and veterans this week.
For example, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the House majority whip, said this week: “The Democratic leadership supports Jon as a problem solver and a new kind of leader. As someone who has been over to Iraq, I know we need more Iraq veterans in Congress so we can end this war responsibly.”
And retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who was in charge of training Iraqi security forces in 2003 and 2004, also endorsed Powers.
“I’ve been impressed by Jon’s intellect, his service and him as a whole package,” Eaton said. “Jon was a terrific soldier, and I’m convinced he will be a terrific congressman.”
As for Davis, he has received no major endorsements.
“Jack’s running an independent campaign right now, and we haven’t sought endorsements yet,” said Joy Langley, his campaign spokesperson.
