Norris re-elected as Niagara County GOP chairman

Niagara County Republican Chairman Michael J. Norris was unanimously reelected to another term as chairman of the Niagara County Republican Committee Thursday night as more than 125 elected Republican committee members from every town and city committee gathered to organize their local party apparatus.

Norris, who has presided over the party since late 2009, oversees a party that has seen its members win virtually every office in North Tonawanda and Lockport and 11 of Niagara County's 12 towns, as well as 12 of 15 County Legislature seats.

"Being asked to continue leading the Niagara County Republican Party is a great honor - and to be asked to do so by so many strong Republicans, committed to our party and their communities, is truly humbling," Norris said following the unanimous vote. "Our neighbors have put great trust in this party - in its ideals as the party of limited government and lower taxes, the party of personal responsibility and individual rights, and really, still Ronald Reagan's party of 'It can be done.' It's a heavy task leading a party that fights for those principles, but it's a task I'm honored to be asked to take on for another term."

"In the weeks ahead, our party will work to elect Chris Collins to Congress and Mitt Romney to the White House, and to re-elect George Maziarz to the State Senate and Ray Walter and John Ceretto to the Assembly," Norris said. "With so many committed Republicans coming out tonight from every part of Niagara County, our party organization is strong, and I am confident our candidates will continue to see electoral success."

Also elected Thursday night were First Vice Chairman Scott Kiedrowski of North Tonawanda, Second Vice Chairman James Heuer, of Wheatfield, and Secretary Marcus Hall of Newfane.