NIAGARA FALLS — By Mark Scheer
scheerm@gnnewspaper.com
A Niagara County Sheriff’s Department deputy who entertained the idea of becoming county sheriff is now poised to take on a tougher challenge — dethroning state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane.
Brian Grear scheduled a news conference for Monday in which he plans to formally announce his intention to face off against Maziarz this fall in a Republican primary for the 62nd Senate seat.
He is scheduled to discuss his decision at 11:30 a.m. Monday on talk show host Scott Leffler’s program “Dialogue” on WLVL 1340. Grear is expected to follow up his appearance on the show with a formal announcement at noon at the Niagara County Courthouse building in Lockport.
“Brian is going to announce that he’s going to run for the New York State Senate,” confirmed Grear’s campaign manager John Villella, who said more details would be made available during the news conference.
Grear had expressed interest in becoming the county’s next sheriff once incumbent Sheriff Thomas Beilein is confirmed as the chair of the state Commission on Corrections. An election will be held this fall to determine Beilein’s successor.
Grear and his supporters tried unsuccessfully last month to convince members of the
Niagara County Republican Committee to hold off on a formal endorsement of a candidate for the race until after Beilein’s nomination was confirmed. The committee chose to endorse Ernest Palmer, Niagara Falls chief of detectives and a Lewiston councilman.
Committee Chair Henry Wojtaszek told the Gazette Grear has a tough challenge ahead of him.
“Certainly anybody can run in any election they choose to, but I’m confident Sen. Maziarz will prevail,” Wojtaszek said. “He’s an outstanding senator and the hardest working senator in New York state.”
Maziarz could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Grear is not the first person to announce his interest in challenging Maziarz in the 62nd District, which includes most of Niagara County, all of Orleans County and a portion of Monroe County. Last month, North Tonawanda resident Don Hobel said he would pursue the Conservative and Democratic party nominations in the race.
Contact reporter Mark Scheer
at 282-2311, ext. 2250.
Local News
POLITICS: Greer to challenge Maziarz
Sheriff’s deputy will announce candidacy for 62nd District seat Monday
- Local News
-
-
Legislation protecting Falls air base units moves forward
The effort to protect jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station got a boost from a committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
-
Korean student robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Detectives are investigating the robbery of a 25-year-old woman Wednesday night in front of a motel in the 400 block of Main Street.
-
Davis will not seek Murphy removal
Lawyers for accused killer Matthew “Bones” Davis say their client will not ask to have Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III removed from his case.
-
Labor group laments economic development efforts
Economic development in New York state has become a joke to some in the area. And many of them are demanding changes to a process which spends approximately $3 billion a year.
-
Repaving work on Old Military Road rises to $790K
Sometimes a change is good. Sometimes a change is bad. For the Town of Lewiston, a change can be pretty costly.
-
Fifth-grader presents list of 400 names asking for new playground
A 10-year-old boy carrying a petition containing more than 400 signatures asked members of the Niagara Falls School Board on Thursday to consider building a new playground at his school.
-
Bomb threat leads to arrest at NT school
A North Tonawanda teen was arrested Thursday morning for sending a one-sentence bomb threat to the computer of a fellow high school student, resulting in a brief lockdown of the school.
- Sense of resignation on AES pact
-
Marching to the new veterans memorial
It's the unofficial beginning of summer.
Memorial Day may mean cookouts with hot dogs and hamburgers, a trip on the river in a boat or simply a day off from work Monday.
-
Fugitive in meth case caught
Moments after Falls police narcotics detectives and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents uncovered a clandestine meth lab in the city's Echota neightborhood, their prime suspect sent a cryptic text message to Detective Joe Palmero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
