I couldn’t make it to this one, but one blogger was there and provides us with some details.

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From a campaign presser sent out yesterday:

“Talk is cheap, but gas is not,” said Lee. “It’s time for Washington to get out of the blame game business, and start to get in the solutions business.  We need American solutions to create American energy and American jobs to secure our economic future and lower gas prices.  We can achieve energy independence through exploration, conservation, and the development of American-made alternative energy sources.”

Lee’s plan for energy highlights the need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by exploring for oil domestically which will secure our nation and ultimately drive down the price of gas for consumers in Western New York.  Additionally, Lee also called for tax incentives for businesses and families that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles and improve their energy efficiency.  Finally, Lee wants to expand research and development of American made alternative energies.  Lee cited alternative energy production,  research and development being done right here, in Western New York such as the hydrogen fuel cell research at Honeoye Falls and the ethanol plant in Orleans.  

“The inability of Congress to deal with this energy crisis is hurting the hard working families of Western New York,” concluded Lee.  “We can’t afford to let Congress sit back and do nothing to address our energy needs.  It is time we get to work, it is time we bring to bear all the great things Western New Yorkers and all Americans can do to make our country energy independent.” 

Now this is a reasonable energy policy, especially in comparison to the No Drilling and Blame Big Oil policy of Jon Powers. Chris Lee clearly understands that energy independence and alternative energy sources won’t just happen overnight. Too much of our economy relies on oil, and Jon Powers and the writers of his talking points don’t understand that. Tax incentives work better than the often unrealistic regulations supported by Powers and the Do-Nothing Democrats in Congress.

As Douglas Turner of the Buffalo News wrote the other day, “Nearly all of the Democrats representing Western New York [...] share in the blame” for the current energy crisis. Jon Powers would simply become part of the problem. 

I’m glad there is a candidate with a realistic energy policy… and I’m sure the voters of NY-26 will be glad too.

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Good news for Chris Lee: The new Rothenberg Political Report’s 2008 House Ratings that came out yesterday moves NY-26 from Pure Toss Up to Toss-Up/Tilt Republican… CQ Politics also forecasts the district as Leans Republican.

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The media may be focusing on the fighting between Jon Powers and Jack Davis, but the real story is the impressive fundraising of Christopher Lee, who raised more cash last quarter than all of his Democrat challengers… combined.

1. Chris Lee (R) $351,000
2. Jon Powers (D) $271,936
3. Alice Kryzan (D) $69,453 
4. Jack Davis (D) $0

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From the Chris Lee for Congress campaign:

Lee Secures Conservative Party Endorsement
Submits Over 12,000 Signatures to Qualify for the Republican and Conservative Lines  

Williamsville - Today, 26th Congressional District candidate Chris Lee officially secured the endorsement of the New York State Conservative Party.  Additionally, Lee announced that he submitted 11,332 signatures, 10,082 more than he needed to qualify for the Republican line on the ballot this fall; he also submitted 1,146 to qualify for the Conservative line, 717 more than required. 

“I am grateful to have the support of so many Western New Yorkers,” said Chris Lee.  “Working together over the next four months, we will make our shared vision of shrinking Washington and growing Western New York a reality.” 

“Chris will fight to make government smaller, preserve conservative values, and restore fiscal discipline in Washington,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long.   

“Chris is the kind of leader we need in Congress, someone who knows what it is like to have to meet a payroll and understands the importance of keeping taxes low,” said Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lorigo.   

“Chris will bring the same values of hard work, honesty, and accountability to Washington that he has practiced throughout his successful business career said Monroe County Conservative Party Chairman Tom Cook.”   

 “We need strong conservative leaders in Washington to restore fiscal responsibility, and accountability,” concluded Lee.  “I look forward to working with Chairman Long and Conservative leaders to move forward with our shared agenda for Western New York.” 

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Also, the Independence Party of New York is mostly backing Senate Republicans.

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I got back from the Chris Lee for Congress fundraiser at the Buffalo-Niagara Marriott in Amherst a little while ago. It was a big event with lots of people and campaign officials tell me it was a huge success.

Yours truly was in attendance at the fundraiser for both the VIP Meet & Greet and the reception that followed.

There were quite a few local party leaders and Republican candidates there this evening, and I was fortunate to meet quite a few of them. Jim Domagalski, chairman of the Erie County Republican Party, Henry F. Wojtaszek, chairman of the Niagara County Republican Party, and Ed Cox, the New York State chairman of Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign.

As for the candidates, I had really good conversations with Dan Humiston, who’s running for congress in the 27th District (my district) and Detective Dennis Delano, candidate for the State Senate.

Also there this evening was Congressman Tom Reynolds. There were a lot of people who wanted to speak with him, so I only talked to him briefl

y, but I expect to be conducting an interview with him for The Buffalo Bean sometime in the near future.

Of course, the man of the hour was Chris Lee. Congressman Reynolds introduced Lee to the VIP Meet & Greet, praising him for “understanding Western New York and its values.” He called Lee a “new voice in the next generation of leadership,” and after describing Lee’s background in business and his family, said that Lee “brings strong conservative values and principles to the aspect of what [being in Congress] needs and is about.”

Later, at the reception, Reynolds once again introduced Chris Lee to the larger crowd. He began by saying that he truly believes the saying that “all politics is local” and that he practiced that his entire career. He explained, “Chris Lee brings [in his life experience] … an experience of business, [and] a native aspect of being a Western new Yorker,” and of being the father of a three-year-old.

Reynolds hinted at the success of the fundraiser by revealing that it was “a record setting fundraiser for an inaugural candidacy for anyone running for the United States House of Representatives.”

Then he welcome the next congressman for the 26th district, Chris Lee.

Flattered by the large crowd and enormous enthusiasm, Chris Lee promised to work for the people of his district, he recognized that the people in this room that he’d be working for, “you’re paying my salary if I’m fortunate enough to get there.”

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Tonight I’ll be going to a fundraiser for Chris Lee for Congress. I’ll have lots to report later, so be sure to check back this evening. (UPDATE)

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Support Christopher Lee on Facebook!

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It it without question that Chris Lee’s campaign website needs work… however, if the best criticism you can make against a political candidate is their use of stock photos on their website, then you’re desperately grasping at straws.

The use of stock photos is nothing new in the world … but hey, if that’s the only thing you can criticize someone for, then go ahead, see how far it gets you.

I was also amused by this gem:

The incumbent has been there since 1999, and has endorsed Lee. If Washington has been shortchanging us, it’s no thanks to incumbent Republican congressman Thomas M. Reynolds - a man who was once very clout-laden in a body that until recently held a Republican majority during the pendency of a Republican presidential administration. I’d suggest that real change for the 26th would be to let a member of the other party have a go.

Real change? Last I checked, the Democrats have control in Congress, and pretty much run things in Albany as well. It sure is time to let the “other party have a go” because as far as this state is concerned the “other party” that deserves a shot at fixing things is the Republican Party…

Let’s face the facts, things haven’t gone well since the Democrats regained power. Not that I expect someone who has endorsed Jon Powers to concede that Democrats are not the deliverers of change they pretend to be. Since Democrats took control of Congress, the costs of bread, milk, eggs and gas have all gone up.

But, maybe that’s the example Jon Powers wants to lead by.

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Things continue to look good for Chris Lee to succeed Tom Reynolds as Republican David Ballavia, an Iraq war veteran, announced he would not challenge Chris Lee for the Republican nomination.

After more than a dozen Republicans expressed interest in succeeding Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds following his retirement announcement in March, Christopher J. Lee emerged as the last man standing Thursday when his sole remaining opponent said he would not run.

David Bellavia, who won the Silver Star in Iraq and wrote a book about his war experiences, told The Buffalo News he will not challenge Lee for the GOP nomination. He also ruled out talk of challenging Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, for her seat in the adjacent 28th District, leaving the Republicans still without a candidate to challenge the veteran congresswoman.

“We had conversations about it, but the idea of running against her never came out of my mouth,” he said. “It was the thought of other people.”

But, on the Democrat side, a fourth has entered the race.

Bellavia’s withdrawal means the Republicans are unified behind Lee, while the Democratic field has grown to four contenders. Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst of Lancaster said this week she intends to run in the Democratic primary, which already includes Clarence businessman Jack Davis, Iraq War veteran and former substitute teacher Jon Powers, and Amherst attorney Alice J. Kryzan.

The National Journal’s Hotline blog recognizes the latest turn of events bodes well for GOP prospects for NY-26.

Four of NY’s six GOP seats could swing to Dems this fall. But one of those four, retiring Tom Reynolds’ (R) NY-26, looks less and less everyday like it belongs with those other three.

PoliticsNY.net even notes that favored Democrat chalenger Jon Powers “has no substantive support in the District” despite all the party endorsements he’s received.

The Hotline blog also reports that we may not have heard the last from Bellavia:

The party has also been working to clear the primary field of its only remaining candidate, and is trying to move Iraq vet David Bellavia (D) to the NY-28 race.

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The Buffalo Bean has learned that Chris Collins and Christopher Lee had a very productive meeting on Friday and that Collins is now a financial supporter of Lee’s campaign.

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Yesterday, retiring Congressman Tom Reynolds endorsed Christopher J. Lee’s bid to fill his seat in the House.

At Erie County Republican headquarters in Buffalo, Reynolds said he’ll work “tirelessly” to help Lee’s candidacy.

“Chris brings to the table the necessary experience and understanding of how to get results. That is exactly what Western New Yorkers need in a representative,” Reynolds said. “I believe he will be a fighter for lower taxes, working families, a great advocate for local industry and an ardent supporter of our fighting men and women in harm’s way.”

Amongst other things, it looks like Reynolds will be able help Lee with cash from his political action committee. Funny enough, the Buffalo News made this observation:

[...] Reynolds, who has always ranked as a prolific political fundraiser throughout a 35- year career, leaves with an extraordinary amount of money. He can now use it for a variety of purposes (although he cannot use the campaign account personally) to help candidates, contribute to charities or even create a foundation. Some former members of Congress have used their campaign kitties to further new Washington careers as lobbyists.

Was that a reference to the Democrats’ candidate, Jon Powers, who violated election laws by using campaign funds to pay his rent? Perhaps not, but it’s nice to know that a political news reporter at The Buffalo News is aware of election laws, even if Jon Powers, isn’t.

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Christopher Lee kicked off his campaign to replace Tom Reynolds in Congress, today, making a number of stops across the 26th Congressional district.

Lee, a business executive from Clarence, introduced himself briefly in five stops around the U.S. House 26th district, including a late afternoon visit to Main Street, Lockport, where he was flanked by family and a contingent of GOP figures from the city, town and county.

Lee, 44, said he’s aiming to replace retiring incumbent Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, so he can give the Capitol the perspective of a small businessman from a region stunted by high taxes, hyper-regulation and the flight of native talent.

“For too long, we have heard about creating jobs, lowering taxes and eliminating needless regulation. Unfortunately, the results have not matched the rhetoric,” Lee said. “Western New Yorkers are demanding real reform, real change, real leadership and real solutions.”

Since my move to New York, I’ve heard lots of people (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) complain about how non-business friendly this state is. Lee’s years as a successful small businessman clearly have given him the appropriate insight and experience needed in Congress during this current period of economic slowdown. Democrat Jon Powers offers a lot of the same old DNC talking points on his website, but as we’ve experienced, Democrat rhetoric and reality are two completely different things.

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The Buffalo News reports:

Christopher J. Lee emerged Monday as the choice of Republican leaders to succeed Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds in Washington, but not without significant opposition.

And Jonathan P. Powers made it a clean sweep of endorsements on the Democratic side when Erie County Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan officially backed him, setting up what is expected to be a three-way primary.

But the night’s main story revolved around the GOP. Talking Phone Book President Rick Lewis scored support from the Republican chairmen of Erie and Niagara counties during their meeting in Geneseo, but even they sided with Lee in a second ballot to make it a unanimous decision.

“This ends the process,” Wyoming County Republican Chairman Gordon Brown said Monday night after the meeting. “Christopher J. Lee has the full support of all the chairmen. We found him just to be an outstanding candidate among a field of outstanding candidates. I think his business experience will translate well into serving in Congress.”

Now, the main question is whether Lewis will mount a rare Republican primary challenge to Lee. Lewis, 48 is expected to decide that question in the next few days, which could open the field to other GOP challengers, including author and Iraq War veteran David Bellavia.

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