For the first time in a decade, Lancaster Democrats are looking for a new chair for the town's party committee.
Terry McCracken, who was elected last November to the Erie County Legislature, officially informed other committee members of his decision this month. Speculation on McCracken's exit first bubbled up Monday on SpeakUp Western New York, a website that closely covers politics and government in Lancaster.
McCracken said he made the decision soon after the November elections.
"The time was right to step down," McCracken told the Politics Now blog. He noted that he took over the position 10 years ago from Art Herdzik, a lawyer and the Lancaster village attorney.
McCracken also serves as the general crew chief for the town's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.
He said his decision to give up the post had nothing to do with the loss of Democrat Bob Giza to Republican Dino Fudoli in last fall's hardfought town supervisor's race. Democrats won the two other Town Board seats up for grabs and hold a 4-1 advantage on the board.
The vice chair of the town party, Sarah Ruffino, wife of Town Board member Ronald Ruffino Sr., will run the committee on an interim basis until a new chair is elected, McCracken said.
This may not happen for a few months, he added, because the committee may end up waiting until elections for committee seats are held this year.
--- Stephen T. Watson
