BUFFALO NEWS

Independence Party backs Poloncarz in race for Erie County comptroller

By Robert J. McCarthy
News Political Reporter
May 24, 2005

Erie County Republicans remain several days away from selecting a county comptroller candidate for 2005, but that hasn't prevented the Independence Party from endorsing Democrat Mark C. Poloncarz.

Poloncarz, a downtown attorney who lives in South Buffalo, defeated another Democrat - former State Supreme Court Justice Robert E. Whelan - for the top minor-party spot on the ballot in what was described as a close contest.

Independence Chairman Anthony L. Orsini said he has received assurances from Poloncarz, who is also the endorsed Democratic candidate, that he will represent the party in the general election even if he loses the Democratic primary that Whelan promises.

"He will go full steam ahead to Nov. 2, regardless of the outcome of the primary," Orsini said.

The move immediately drew criticism from Erie County Republican Chairman Robert E. Davis, who said he was not surprised at what he called the recent Independence tilt toward Democrats.

"Why would they endorse before they even know who the other candidate would be?" he said. "I'm disappointed that happened."

Davis said the GOP is still discussing the comptroller's post with several interested people. Whelan, however, could still snare a minor-party line as a result of discussions with the Conservative Party. He has had long relations with the party and was once a law partner of Erie County Conservative Chairman Ralph C. Lorigo.

Orsini said Independence has made several other endorsements, including the expected mayoral nod to State Sen. Byron W. Brown. That guarantees a presence for Brown on the November general election ballot after an expected September primary against several Democrats.

Brown has also received recent endorsements from the Frontier Democratic Club, the Western New York Hispanics and Friends Civic Association, and Citizen Action of New York.

Louis P. Corrigan, secretary of the Erie County Independence Party, signed the necessary paperwork that allows Democrat Brown to run on the Independence line. He has reaffirmed, however, that he still plans to challenge the senator in the party primary.

Orsini, meanwhile, said the party will also back several legislative candidates, including incumbent Republican Barry A. Weinstein, Republican John Mills for the seat of retiring incumbent Republican Steven P. McCarville and Thomas A. Loughran, a Republican running on the Democratic line against Republican incumbent Elise M. Cusack. That move marks a departure for the party, which backed Cusack in 2003.

Independence also backed Democrat Michele Ianello for the seat of retiring Republican Charles M. Swanick and incumbent Democrats Lynn M. Marinelli, Timothy M. Wroblewski and Timothy M. Kennedy.

e-mail: rmccarthy@buffnews.com

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