County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz is considering a run for county executive this year, potentially injecting a major new presence into the already crowded Democratic field.

Poloncarz said Monday he has received encouragement from community, financial and political leaders who believe he could reprise the 2005 race for comptroller that successfully launched his political career.

“It’s something I’m considering,” he said. “I understand the decision will probably have to be made fairly soon, because you can’t jump in at a late date. So it will probably be within the next three weeks.”

Poloncarz, 39, could emerge as the “fresh face” that Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan has been desperately searching for.

In office less than 15 months, Poloncarz is still not well known but is a lawyer with elective experience. And as comptroller, he is expected to emphasize his grasp on the financial issues many think will dominate the upcoming campaign.

Lenihan was noncommittal when asked about a potential Poloncarz candidacy Monday.

Poloncarz raised a respectable $250,000 in the 2005 comptroller race, giving him a solid base to begin fundraising for a contest expected to cost well over $1 million.

“I think Mark is a very capable guy and I certainly think he’s done a good job as comptroller,” Lenihan said. “I’m certainly willing to talk to him.”

Poloncarz’s possible candidacy intensifies the prospect of even further division in the Democratic Party expected to result from a primary contest.

Since several sources say internal polling by both Democrats and Republicans points to a public desire for someone outside the political establishment this year, Poloncarz could prove an attractive candidate in the face of Democratic veterans in the race.

“I think Mark is a fresh face,” Lenihan said. “At 39, he’s certainly a person with a keen handle on county finances.”

If Poloncarz runs, it could have profound impact in a field that already includes former Deputy County Executive James P. Keane, West Seneca Supervisor Paul T. Clark, Legislature Chairwoman Lynn M. Marinelli, Amherst Council Member Daniel J. Ward and former Mayor James D. Griffin.

Businessman Christopher C. Collins, who unsuccessfully challenged former Rep. John J. LaFalce in 1998, is emerging as the expected Republican candidate.

In addition, efforts to cast Poloncarz as the “fresh face” could blunt an expected GOP emphasis of Collins in the same vein. It could also further diffuse the field for Marinelli, who is emphasizing her status as the only woman in the contest.

Poloncarz said Monday family considerations loom heavily in his decision, emphasizing that he is not actively seeking the post. A more aggressive effort will follow only if he decides to run, he said.

“I’m not reaching out to anyone,” he said. “If I were an active candidate I would be reaching out to everyone — but I’m not.”

Lenihan said he hopes to convene his Executive Committee in “early spring” to endorse a candidate.

“There is certainly time to get in, but this process will be wrapping up in the not too distant future,” he said.

e-mail: rmccarthy@buffnews.com

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