In the battle to replace retiring GOP crumb-bum Tom Reynolds, the GOP suffered a couple of recruiting blows this week. First it was state Sen. George Maziarz, a Reynolds protégé considered by some to be a strong candidate to hold the seat, who decided to pass on the race after signaling interest last week.
Now it looks like the GOP’s second choice, state Assemblyman Jim Hayes, is also saying no to a bid for the seat.
As The Albany Project notes, this isn’t a good development for GOP unity:
When Sen. George Maziarz announced yesterday that he would not run for Congress, the likelihood of a primary increased. With Hayes not entering, the probability of a primary just skyrocketed. Hayes and Maziarz were the top two contenders for this seat and they both don’t want it. That will leave a crowded field jockeying for position.
As many as five Republicans might run for the seat, while the Democratic field includes Iraq vet Jon Powers (whom the Cook Political Report calls the “likely Democratic nominee”) and Buffalo attorney Alice Kryzan. Kooky millionaire industrialist Jack Davis is itching to run again, and Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is also expressing interest in the seat. Erie County Dems, however, want to get the show on the road — they plan on making an endorsement “within a week or two“.
It is looking more and more likely that the house will be a blowout. Perhaps not as bad as it was in 2006 for the GOP, but bad. This could convince more to retire in 2010.