GOP endorses Collins for county executive position

Collins

The executive committee of the Erie County Republican Committee has endorsed Chris Collins for county executive. The committee voted unanimously to support Collins, who announced his candidacy early last week.

"The Republican Party in Erie County has endorsed a leader, entrepreneur, and reformer to become our next county executive," said James Domagalski, Erie County Republican Committee chairman.

Collins announced his candidacy at Volland Electric in Cheektowaga last week. Several years ago, Volland Electric was in financial distress before Collins stepped in to help stabilize the company, which saved 110 local jobs.

"Erie County needs a chief executive, not another chief politician," said Collins following the endorsement meeting. "Politicians have controlled Erie County government for decades, and they have continuously resisted reform and failed to create economic opportunity for our community. I know how to turn troubled companies around, and I think it is time to take the same approach and apply it to Erie County government."