Ward will run for county executive
O'Loughlin to seek endorsements
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Dan Ward

Dan Ward plans to make another run for the Erie County Executive position.

Announced Monday night during a campaign party, Ward said he officially declared his candidacy for the November 2007 election.

"I probably made the decision three and a half years ago," he said about losing the November 2003 election.

He added that the campaign and election results were positive enough that he was encouraged to do it again. Ward, a Democrat, lost to County Executive Joel Giambra, who was the incumbent in 2003, having beaten Dennis Gorski in 1999.

Currently serving as a Town of Amherst Board Member, Ward also served as town supervisor from 1990-94 and as a county legislator from 1975-78.

With the announcement officially being made, Ward said he will continue his requirements as a town board member and also start campaigning in the upcoming months.

He will also be seeking endorsements from the Democratic, Working Families, Independence and Conservative parties - expected to be announced following this fall's election and possibly closer to the spring, Ward said.

His main goal would be getting the county in good fiscal standing.

"All of the executive's promises quickly dissipated and was followed by fiscal chaos," Ward said, adding he believes the county fiscal nightmare may finally be coming to a conclusion.

Not following legal operations was one of the major problems for the fiscal difficulties, Ward, a practicing attorney, said.

"I respect the law, it was the theme of my last campaign," he said. "With the mess we are in now, the county needs someone to go back, look at the law, and that will keep (us) out of trouble."

Ward's opposition could be very close to home. Fellow Town Board Member William A. O'Loughlin Jr. has said he will run for county executive if he receives the Erie County Republican Party endorsement, along with either the Conservative and Independence endorsements, or preferably both.

O'Loughlin said his intentions to run started a year ago when then Republican County Chairman Bob Davis told him the race had started, two years before the election.

"I know I am one of the leading candidates for the endorsement," he said, adding he expects the announcements in January or February.