GENESEE COUNTY
GOP candidates open party headquarters
BATAVIA — Seven candidates were on hand Saturday for the grand opening of the campaign headquarters of the Genesee County Republican Committee.
They were among 70 people who gathered at the former fast-food restaurant at West Main Street and Lewiston Road to urge a large vote in a county with only one Democrat among 19 elected officials.
Richard E. Seibert, the party’s county chairman, praised Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, RClarence, and State Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville, who are retiring, before introducing the candidates: Christopher J. Lee, vying for the congressional seat held for 10 years by Reynolds; Erie County Legislator Michael
H. Ranzenhofer, a candidate for the State Senate; Jeffrey F. Voelkl, the endorsed candidate for State Supreme Court; Assemblymen Steven M. Hawley of Batavia and Daniel J. Burling of Warsaw; Sheriff Gary T. Mahal and County Treasurer Scott D. German.
The closely watched State Senate race pits Ranzenhofer against former boxer Joe Mesi, the Democratic candidate. Republicans now hold a 31-30 edge in the Senate, which they have dominated for about seven decades.
