By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick began circulating petitions Tuesday for the newly re-configured 28th Congressional district.
But Swanick has not decided yet if he will actually run.
Swanick said he needs to prepare as a potential candidate now, because he will be out of state the next two weeks.
Swanick, who is a U.S. Army Reservist, has been called up to active military duty.
He leaves for Fort Lewis, Washington this Friday.
The potential congressional candidate said the petitions will only prepare to put him on the ballot.
"This isn't a commitment that we are in the run. It is a commitment that we are preparing for the run," said Swanick.
"I'm leaving all the doors open. For unknown reasons, all of this has happened within the last six days."
Before making a decision, Swanick said he is waiting to see if his Democratic colleagues, State Senator Bryon Brown and State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, will decide to launch campaigns for the new district seat.
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, who had also expressed interest, announced Monday he would not run.