By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is running for the 26th Congressional seat.
The democratic chairs of the Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans and Wyoming Counties unanimously nominated Hochul as the Democratic nominee for the May 24th special election in New York's 26th Congressional District.
The chairs conducted a final round of interviews in Geneseo Saturday, and then announced Hochul as their nominee.
"I am running for Congress because I can do in Washington what I've done in Erie County - cut waste, hold down taxes, and help Western New York businesses create jobs for working families," said Hochul.
"I am looking forward to meeting residents throughout the district, and sharing my plan to get people back to work and get our economy back on track."
"Kathy Hochul has been a proven leader in Erie County and will work to support Western New York's hard working families," said Judith Hunter, Chair of the Livingston County Democratic Committee. Hochul lists the following as her accomplishments while in political offices:
Created innovative new programs to get residents to renew their licenses and registrations locally - keeping much needed revenues here in Western New York instead of sending it to Albany
Stood up to her own party and successfully fought Albany's ill-conceived plan to mandate license plates, saving $129 million for motorists across the State
Initiated the effort to permanently remove burdensome tolls from the NYS thruway near Buffalo, saving millions for businesses and residents across the region. The seat was left vacant after former Congressman Chris Lee resigned when a shirtless photo of himself surfaced on-line.
Republicans have nominated Jane Corwin to run for the 26th Congressional seat. Crowin's campaign released the following statement after learning the democrats selected Hochul.
Statement from the Jane Corwin for Congress Campaign
WILLIAMSVILLE -- Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress, issued the following statement today after Kathy Hochul was selected as the Democrat candidate for Congress in New York's 26th District:
"It's good to see that Kathy Hochul was able to find the Democrat Chair meeting in Geneseo, considering she doesn't even live in the 26th District. It's no surprise that her record of raising taxes and fees resonated with Washington Democrats and now she's their handpicked candidate. A career politician who has routinely voted to raise taxes and fees is just what Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want, but it's exactly what Western New Yorkers are sick of."