By Joyce Kryszak
Amherst, NY – New York State Senator Mary Lou Rath was on hand Thursday to give her would-be successor a boost. Erie County lawmaker Mike Ranzenhofer formally announced his candidacy.
Rath has represented the heavily Republican 61st district for fifteen years. But Ranzenhofer faces a challenge from three strong potential Democratic candidates - Amherst Town Councilman Dan Ward, Erie County Legislator Michelle Ianello and boxer Joe Mesi.
Rath told Ranzenhofer that, if he wins, he'd be carrying on a long standing tradition of conservative politics in the 61st district.
Rath's announced retirement left local and state GOP party leaders jittery about maintaining the fragile majority in the senate. Rath said, there is good reason for concern. She said holding a Republican majority there is not merely about of politics - it's about geography.
"If we do not have a majority in the state senate, Manhattan will be running New York state," said Rath.
Rath said that down-state influence, as well as the influence of the Democratically controlled Assembly was evident in the state budget just passed. Rath said the Assembly authorized spending more than it should have and "raided" the upstate revitalization fund.
She acknowledged that shaky economic times and the shake-up in Albany doesn't make this the best time for her retirement. But she says it's time for her to move on and work on issues from the outside.
She said that will include pushing for further medicaid reform - and, in the meantime, working to help elect another Repuplican to the 61st district.
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