Niagara County Republicans endorse slate for 2014

Party unanimously backs Fronczak for elections post

Niagara County Republicans backed a slate of candidates for state, federal and local offices Thursday night at the Wheatfield Community Center, lining up behind experienced incumbents seeking re-election to a host of offices.

County Republican committee members also backed elections clerk Jennifer Fronczak of North Tonawanda to fill the post of county elections commissioner, after the GOP executive committee formally nominated her. She will replace longtime GOP stalwart Mary Ann Casamento once county lawmakers formalize her appointment.

Niagara County Republican Chairman Scott P. Kiedrowski urged fellow Republicans to back what he called "an effective, proven team" that includes U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, and state Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane.

Also gaining the county GOP's official endorsement were Assemblywoman Jane L. Corwin, R-Clarence; Assemblymen Ray Walter, R-Amherst; and John D. Ceretto, R-Lewiston.

"The Republican slate has advanced the independent principles of the Republican Party time and again, fighting overreach by the state and federal governments while protecting our interests in Albany and Washington," Kiedrowski said. "The Republican Party's state and federal representatives are Western New Yorkers and fight for Western New York's values."

Maziarz made the case for his own candidacy, as well as those of all the party's endorsed candidates, in remarks shared with the approximately 100 GOP committeemen in attendance.

"If you care about improving the economy and creating jobs; if you care about creating a better health care system for New Yorkers; if you care about the quality of education for our future generations - then we stand for the same thing," Maziarz said.

He also reminded those present that he - along with Corwin, Walter and Ceretto - voted against Gov. Andrew Cuomo's gun control law, the NY SAFE Act.

"I voted against the NY SAFE Act last year because I felt this legislation was confronting the problem of gun violence by making criminals out of responsible, law-abiding gun owners," Maziarz said. Collins has also stood against gun control schemes at the federal level.

County Republicans also unanimously backed two local government candidates running in 2014: Lockport Town Councilman Tom Keough and Pendleton Town Justice Ed Maziarz.

Republicans will begin circulating petitions for federal candidates in March.