Erie County
O'Loughlin withdraws from executive race, endorsed for clerk
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

William A. O'Loughlin Jr.

The November 2007 Erie County election ballot has already changed.

Amherst Council Member William A. O'Loughlin Jr. has withdrawn from the race for county executive and will support Chris Collins as the Republican candidate.

O'Loughlin had announced his candidacy in December 2006 and officially stepped down last week.

This move also ends the possibility of a Republican primary for the position between O'Loughlin and Collins.

"We need a business perspective in Erie County and Chris and

both have that. I have decided to support him," O'Loughlin said, adding that at the same time he made that decision he also decided to run for county clerk.

"I called (Erie County GOP Chairman James Domagalski) and asked if he had any candidates ... I was put on the front burner after I said I was interested in running," he said.

O'Loughlin said he received the GOP endorsement on May 11.

"(He) is a strong and credible county clerk candidate with the practical business experience to bring real reform and new efficiencies to the clerk's office," Domagalski said.

O'Loughlin, an Amherst Town Board member, and investment advisor, said his experience in public service and private business have prepared him for the county level of government.

"The clerk's race provides me with a great opportunity to bring my financial background to an office that impacts taxpayers everyday," he said. "Erie County needs new leaders with real world business skills to help turn Erie County around."

O'Loughlin is the resident branch manager of the O'Loughlin Financial Group and Brookstreet Securities in Williamsville.

Collins was endorsed by the GOP in March.

O'Loughlin said he hopes to change the voters' feelings on county government and increase the percentage of voter turnout.

"If we can change that attitude ... watch how the region will boom," he said.

County clerk Kathleen C. Hochul, a Democrat and former deputy county clerk, is running in November.

She was appointed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer to replace David J. Swartz whom the governor named as state motor vehicles commissioner.