By Mark Scott
Cheektowaga, NY – The Erie County Democratic Party staged a unity rally Thursday in support of congressional candidate Brian Higgins.
Nearly every prominent Democrat in the area jammed into a small union hall in Cheektowaga. Higgins was joined by the four candidates he defeated in Tuesday's primary. They all announced their support in his general election campaign against Republican Nancy Naples. Higgins says unity is key for him to win in November.
"In the past several weeks, we have been engaged in a competitive process -- a process that has included new ideas and new people," Higgins said. "The real challenge is not getting through it, but once you do get through it, bringing the candidates together."
One of the primary challengers, West Seneca Town Supervisor Paul Clark, presented Higgins with a check for his campaign. And Chautauqua County Executive Mark Thomas said he'll work hard to deliver Chautauqua to Higgins.
"Chautauqua County is 20 percent of this district," Thomas said. "That represents 20 percent of the vote that I'm going to work very hard along with my Democratic colleagues and organized labor to bring home for Brian Higgins."
Higgins and Naples are vying to succeed Jack Quinn in the 27th Congressional District. One of the skills that Higgins has been stressing this week is his legislative experience. But Naples says more than that is needed to be an effective lawmaker.
"I'm the only candidate who has experience creating jobs," Naples said. "I owned a small business. I met the payroll. I paid for their health care and the pension plan. And I demonstrated my independence from party politics."
Quinn, who announced in April that he would not seek re-election, has endorsed Naples.