BUFFALO NEWS

Signs herald endorsement of Poloncarz for comptroller

By JANICE L. HABUDA
News staff Reporter
May 18, 2005

Mark C. Poloncarz wins the backing of Democratic leaders.

If the early distribution of campaign signs made the Erie County Democratic Committee's choice for comptroller seem a foregone conclusion, it pretty much was. Having already received the backing of individual committee members, Mark C. Poloncarz emerged Tuesday evening from a conference room in Ellicott Square with the unanimous support of the party's executive committee.

Clapping, hoots and whistles accompanied Poloncarz as he walked down a staircase for the official announcement. Campaign signs already had been distributed.

Citing voters' disappointment with county government during the past several months, Leonard R. Lenihan, chairman of the County Democratic Committee, predicted a "historic campaign."

He praised the professional credentials of Comptroller Nancy A. Naples, the Republican incumbent who has decided not to seek a fourth term. But, "the fact was, she wasn't independent," Lenihan said.

The only issue in this year's race for comptroller is independence, he said. Poloncarz, 37, a Lackawanna native and a business and finance attorney, was Western New York coordinator for Sen. John F. Kerry's presidential campaign.

Poloncarz, Lenihan pointed out, never has been on the public payroll and "is the only candidate in this race without ties to current County Executive Joel Giambra."

"I will work with all, but I will criticize all, when necessary," Poloncarz said. "I will be there for the people of Erie County."

A long-standing friendship with Giambra was expected to pose a barrier to a Democratic endorsement for Robert Whalen, a former Buffalo comptroller and State Supreme Court justice who was denied the party's nomination for Supreme Court in 2003.

Richard C. Pawarski, a former city auditor and deputy Buffalo comptroller, also has declared his candidacy.

Poloncarz, Lenihan told reporters after Tuesday's announcement, "was the overwhelming favorite. It wasn't even close."

e-mail: jhabuda@buffnews.com

Copyright 2005, Buffalo News