By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – While the Democrats and the nation remain focused on the Democratic presidential primaries, a Western New York candidate says he's gearing up for a congressional run.
Thomas Casey of Orchard Park says he's ready to wage a campaign against incumbent republican Congressman Jack Quinn. This would be Casey's second attempt against Quinn. He ran in 2002, but only pulled in just 2.1 percent of the vote.
His theme for 2004 is "Casey for Change." The 55-year old is a civil/environmental engineer, currently employed as a public health engineer with Erie County. Casey says he wants to run for the 27th Congressional District because he is frustrated.
"I love Western New York and I hate to see the tough decisions being ignored," Casey said. "We've got to improve our local economy, and over the past two or three years that frustration has become equal at the federal level."
And while Casey has never served in a political office he says he been exposed to government all of his career, working with village, town and city councils. Casey says he's also running because he's discouraged with Congressman Quinn's voting record.
"I wouldn't be voting for the tax cuts he has voted for," Casey said. "They were absolutely reckless and irresponsible."
Casey says his campaign will promote what he describes as 13 challenges, issues he plans to promote that begin with an effort to restore "honesty and openness" to government.
"I passionately support term limits," Casey said. "I passionately support a reduction in our federal deficit. I think it is just an abomination what is being passed on to our children. I think it is killing jobs. I think the last time we had this type of spending under Reagan it created a recession afterwards."
Casey says he also supports school choice for parents who want the freedom to discover the best education for their children.
Casey says he will seek both the Democratic and Independence Party endorsements. Congressman Quinn declined to be interviewed to respond to Casey's campaign plans and comments on his record.