Erie County Legislator Thomas Loughran formally announced his candidacy for the State Senate Saturday.
The Amherst Democrat will challenge incumbent Republican Michael Ranzenhofer in the 61st Senate district.
Loughran, who also runs a restaurant in Snyder, has high name recognition. But Saturday he told WBFO News it's his message of ending Albany corruption that matters more.
"Name recognition? People sent me to the Erie County Legislature to do a job. It's my hope they will send me to Albany to deliver this message of campaign reform and ethics reform," Loughran said.
Loughran received the official backing of the Erie County Democratic Committee Saturday.
Party leaders also endorsed Amber Small of the Parkside Community Association in the race for the vacant 60th Senate seat. And the Democrats will back Williamsville attorney Thomas Casey in his challenge of Republican State Senator Patrick Gallivan.