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Legislators eye state senate seat ~Iannello VS Marinelli?~

I would have thought Jim Hayes, but he said no and I respect that decision. Even though the Republicans are the minority in the Assembly Jim is a huge asset to us here in WNY, we need him there. Now in the Senate, Rath has done a very good job for us and we all expected her to retire. Thank you Senator for being an ally in the toll fight and I know she will be there for us up until the end of the year.

Now to the Democrat side of the race. As expected and as always, Dan Ward wants in but now Michelle Iannello/Ward does to. Hmmm typical of the Wards and their constant desire to stay in public office to earn as much as possible so they get the best pension we can give them for the rest of their lives, but I digress. I am sure that Mrs Ward will have the upper hand in this decision as she is married to Dans brother Dennis who is the Democrat commissioner at the Board of Elections, the man behind the scenes of her races.

But, Marinelli would throw a different mix into this whole battle in the Democrats battle for control. We saw the split recently in the legislature as Lynn had to reach out to the Republicans to maintain her seat as Chairman. I am sure there is plenty of talk in the back rooms as to how to handle this scenario. See Iannello could actually live “legally” in Amherst which is out of her 10th legislative seat district and in the senate district. Hmmm, what to do. I hope she does run, she is never in this current district, does nothing for her well paying position here locally, I am positive she will be yet the blockade to the Collins administration.

Now for Lynn Marinelli, stay where you are we need you there. Thank goodness you were able to keep the legislature chairmanship. The only way Collins will ever be able to get his agenda to come close to happening is by getting it in front of the legislature for a vote. If you leave, Reynolds and Whyte will be in control? God help us all in this county.

Crossing the aisle, Legislator Michele Iannello, D-Kenmore, said she was looking at running for the seat even if Rath had stayed, so this opening presents even more of an opportunity.

Tonawanda News - ERIE COUNTY NOTEBOOK: Legislators eye state senate seat

The announcement that State Sen. Mary Lou Rath will retire at the end of this year has started speculation as to who the seat’s next occupant will be.

With presidential contenders setting the bar high for early campaigning, both parties are already looking for viable contenders. Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, is the person Rath said would be a logical choice to run, but Hayes said he is too focused on the state budget process to even think about the option right now.

“We have a rigorous set of hearings in the next two to three weeks delving into what this year’s budget means for residents of Niagara and Erie counties,” Hayes said. “There will be a time for politics, but not right now.”

That’s not stopping others from lining up for the job, and many of the names being kicked around are current or former Erie County legislators.

In the Republican leaning 61st District, a top GOP contender is Dr. Barry Weinstein, who recently left his seat in the Erie County Legislature for a spot on the Amherst Town Board. Weinstein said he’s very interested in the seat, which he sees as an opportunity to preserve the balance of power in Albany. He is also concerned with possible national implications of Republicans losing their tenuous 33-29 majority in the senate.

“If the state senate is won by the Democrats, who control the assembly and the governor’s office, they’ll be able to reapportion the congressional districts any way they want,” Weinstein said.

Legislator Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Clarence, said he would find the position challenging and interesting, but that he still has to talk to a lot of community members before making a decision about whether to run.

Bob Newman, who ran unsuccessfully for Town of Tonawanda Supervisor last year, is also taking a serious look at joining the race. He said Sen. Rath has left big shoes to fill, but is still unsure if the area will vote for change or business as usual.

“This gives us the opportunity that we had in Erie County last fall with Chris Collins,” Newman said. “Now, I have to ascertain whether the voters want fresh faces in Albany and will pull the lever for change or to continue with the status quo.”

Crossing the aisle, Legislator Michele Iannello, D-Kenmore, said she was looking at running for the seat even if Rath had stayed, so this opening presents even more of an opportunity.

“In 2000, the difference was 13,000 votes,” Iannello said of the Republican lead in registered voters throughout the 61st District. “Today that difference is less than 7,000 and there are 35,000 who left party affiliation blank, so I think a Democrat could easily overcome those numbers.”

Amherst Town Councilman Dan Ward, Iannello’s brother-in-law and a former county legislator, has also thrown his hat into the ring. Iannello said she would respect the state party’s decision for the endorsement and is hopeful that others would do the same without a primary.

“In my opinion, it’s an important seat for the Democrats and a primary would only hinder whoever gets the party nod,” Iannello said. “At this point, I wouldn’t think anyone would want to hinder that.”

Ward, who is looking to reform IDAs, revise and repeal laws he thinks have run their course, and help residents initiate their own legislation, said he’s wary of saying he won’t take the nomination to a primary, but hopes it won’t come to that.

“I’d like to think the committee will consider me a talented and experienced candidate for the position,” Ward said.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynn Marinelli, D-Town of Tonawanda, is being named as another possible candidate, but she had not returned calls as of press time.

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