By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Republicans don't like primaries. That was clearly evident yesterday when the top brass of the Erie County GOP helped Amherst businessman Christopher Lee officially launch his candidacy less than 48 hours after they were supporting someone else.
At a meeting of county Republican chairmen from the sprawling 26th congressional district Monday night, Erie County Republican Chairman Jim Domalgalski advanced the candidacy of Talking Phone Book President Rick Lewis. The problem was a majority of the party chairs were lining up behind Christopher Lee. But once the vote of the chairs was taken, and Lee came out on top, Domalgalski switched his allegiance from Lewis to Lee. He says that was always the plan.
And so Domalgalski and Republican party staffers were out in front of Amherst Town Hall Wednesday, passing out Lee stickers and welcoming his announcement. Domalgalski says he hopes Lewis and other potential Republican candidates will drop out. Lee says he holds no ill will toward Domalgalski for his initial support of Lewis.
After making his announcement in Amherst, Lee traveled the length of the 26th district, holding similar news conferences to introduce himself.
Lee says he traveled to Washington two weeks ago to meet with the National Republican Congressional Committee but can't yet say how much money will be coming his way.
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