Konst may shift gears

by LISA A. JOHNSON Lancaster-Depew Editor

Kathy Konst may bow out of the race for Thomas Reynolds' congressional seat to take aim at 32-year incumbent state Sen. Dale Volker.

Konst, Democratic District 5 Erie County legislator and president and CEO of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, said she is weighing her options, although she continues to circulate petitions and remains a candidate in the race for the 26th Congressional District.

Others running in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary for Reynolds' seat include Jonathan P. Powers of Clarence, an Iraq War veteran and former substitute teacher who has the Democratic endorsement; Amherst attorney Alice J. Kryzan; and Clarence millionaire Jack Davis.

Christopher Lee, a former businessman from Amherst, is the sole Republican vying for the seat in the district that covers the northern Buffalo suburbs; all of Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties; and portions of Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties.

Volker, a Republican, had already announced his re-election and faces a primary race against former East Aurora Mayor David DiPietro for the 59th District, which covers southern Erie, all of Wyoming, northern Livingston and southern Ontario counties.

Konst's possible shift comes after area businesspeople approached her about running for state Senate, citing a need to boost the upstate economy and enact changes in Albany.

"They have some very good arguments," she said.

One strong motivation for Konst's consideration is that Democrats have a good chance of controlling the Senate after the November election, which would put Volker in the minority should he win.

"He will no longer have that seniority that has been his ace in the hole," she said.

Konst decided to run for Congress because she hopes to help alleviate county budget pressures from a higher level. She feels that she could also address the issue of unfunded mandates from the state or federal level.

Konst said Rochester billionaire and Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano is among the business leaders with whom she has discussed a shift to run for state office, but she downplayed rumors that he would back her with $1 million, saying election laws wouldn't allow for it.

"He has presented his case as an individual businessperson," she said. "If he chooses to support me, that's great."

Although it appears she is circulating petitions for Volker's seat, Konst said she cannot collect signat for two races at once and that some of her supporters have taken it upon themselves to get her name out there.

"I believe there is a 'draft Kathy' movement out there," she said.

Konst said she will make a decision in the near future regarding the two races. The petition deadline is Thursday, July 10.

"I've listened, I'm considering it, but I have not made a decision," she said.