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Candidates line up for Tokasz's seat
By John J. Hopkins
Last week's announcement that Democrat Paul Tokasz was not seeking re-election as the 143rd District's representative in the New York State Assembly caught some people off-guard and, after some speculation, three candidates remained under consideration as of Wednesday afternoon.
Under New York State law, the Democrats must name a candidate by today.
Town Supervisor Dennis H. Gabryszak appears to have the inside track, with Erie County Legislator Tom Mazur and Lancaster Councilmember Donna Stempniak also in the running.
Tokasz's announcement was made on July 13, the day that party nominating petitions were due. His decision allows party leaders to virtually hand-select the candidate.
Gabryszak was in New York City on Wednesday, meeting with Moody's officials about the town's bond rating.
Gabryszak told the Times that he planned to meet with Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Len Lenihan Wednesday at 7 p.m., after he returned from New York.
"I remain interested, and he knows that," Gabryszak said. "He said 'let's meet,' so we're doing that tonight."
Mazur said that he is interested in the position, but noted that Gabryszak has expressed a desire to move up the political ladder for a long time.
"I would assume that he'll get first dibs," Mazur said. "If Dennis isn't interested, I'd be humbled to be considered, and yeah, I'd be interested."
Stempniak said she remains interested and met with Lenihan about the opportunity.
Stempniak said she believes she is qualified for the position and would jump at the chance to be the second woman in the Western New York delegation.
However, she said as a Lancaster resident, she may not receive the nod, noting that her town only makes up about one-third of the district.
"When the powers that be are looking to fill the shoes of Paul Tokasz, I think that they'll be looking at the bulk of the district," Stempniak explained.
Mazur agreed that the candidate will likely be from Cheektowaga.
"I think it's a Cheektowaga seat, and that's not to minimize Donna's candidacy," Mazur said. "This is not going to be an easy position to fill, with Paul's stature."
Cheektowaga Councilmember Jeff Swiatek was also listed as a possible candidate, but Swiatek told the Times on Wednesday that after taking "a good, hard look at it," he asked Lenihan to take him out of the running.
"It was an exciting prospect, being able to work on statewide issues," Swiatek said. "I truly believe that Eliot Spitzer is going to reform Albany, and it would have been very rewarding to have been part of that.
However, his young family- Swiatek and his wife have three sons between 2-6 years old- swayed his decision.
"Ultimately it didn't work for my family," Swiatek said. "Nothing makes me happier during the day than spending time with them."
Whomever receives the Democratic nod will face Republican Jeff Sell in the November 7 general election.
Meanwhile, Tokasz's announcement came as a shock to some political insiders, but others saw it coming.
Sell can be counted among those who were surprised by the announcement.
It caught me off guard," Sell told the Times. "I can understand why he's stepping down; he's been there a long time."
Although he and Tokasz are at opposite ends of the political spectrum, Sell offered kind words for Tokasz and his 18 years serving in the Assembly.
"The job's not easy," Sell observed. "He did the best he could for the area, and I applaud him for that."
Swiatek said that he, too, was surprised.
"But I respect his decision," said Swiatek. "I was not expecting it, but I understand it fully."
In a statement released to the media, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said Tokasz leaves "a legacy of effective leadership and dedicated service" that will be sorely missed throughout the state.
"Talented and gifted as a legislator, Paul's accomplishments have made our state a better place and reflect his commitment to the values and vision that have distinguished his legislative career," Silver added. "As assembly majority leader, he has been a valued friend and colleague and simply the very best."
Tokasz, with a laugh, said on July 13 that Silver had called him that morning, telling him he still had time to reconsider.
Jane Wiercioch, president of the Depew-Cheektowaga Taxpayers Association, said that Tokasz is "as good as we're ever going to get" in terms of a representative in Albany.
"Because of his position, he had the opportunity to get a little bit for this community," Wiercioch said. "He had the ear of Silver and was pretty well connected."
Wiercioch called Tokasz "a sincere person" who was "great for education" and did what he could for Western New York.
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