While it isn't clear who all will be vying for the seat, at least we now know there will be a special election to replace shirtless ex-Rep Chris Lee.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that polls will be open May 24.
The Republicans lined up early behind Erie County's Jane Corwin to carry the banner for the GOP in the election.
The seven Democratic county chairs in the district will start interviewing candidates March.
The candidates who have asked for interviews are Kathy Hochul, Mark Manna, Martin Minemier, Satish Mohan, Robert Stall, Diana Voit, Jane Bauch. Bauch is from Orleans County and Minemier is from Monroe County. The other five hopefuls are from Erie County.
Meanwhile, various news reports suggest three-time loser Jack Davis will run as an independent, and even though Batavia's David Bellavia was unable to secure support with the GOP or the Conservative line, some reports indicate he may yet try an independent campaign.
Apparently, some faction of Tea Party supporters favor Davis, but Rus Thompson of Buffalo is throwing his support behind Corwin.
Davis “is good on some things, so far as we know — on trade issues, things of that nature. But I think he’s just a little inconsistent,” Thompson said. “And Jane Corwin — I think we’re really leaning toward Jane Corwin. It’s really about Bellavia and Corwin for us.”
In the run up to the campaign, some controversy has already started to swirl around Corwin. Some conservatives are bothered by her position on abortion and there was also a brief rumor of a nanny problem.
Even while local Democrats go through the process of selecting a candidate, the party's New York chair expressed some doubt to Roll Call magazine about the viability of a Democratic candidacy.
“We’re also waiting to see how enthusiastic the DCCC is about this race," said NYS Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs. "It’s a very tough seat.”
Asked how the state party would judge the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s enthusiasm, Jacobs replied, “Dollars.”
“If the DCCC is going to invest money in this race and send up staff and go all out, it would have to be predicated on the viewpoint that we can stand a chance at winning,” he said. “Now, we can always win a race, and there are a lot of variables, but you start with the registrations. And we haven’t seen the Democratic performance being all that impressive for anybody in that district.”
