Iraq War veteran David Bellavia may rank as the underdog against Chris Collins for the Republican nomination in the new 27th Congressional District, but he leads in organization endorsements after the Orleans County GOP bestowed its nod Thursday.
Bellavia, a native of Medina in Orleans County, picked up the support of the first county committee to weigh in for the expected primary campaign against the former Erie County executive.
"I am proud to support an Orleans County native who has already served his country courageously in combat,” said Orleans Republican Chairman Ed Morgan. “David is committed to continuing his service to his country as our representative in Congress and our committee is behind him 100 percent.”
Bellavia and Collins both addressed the Orleans GOP in a Thursday evening meeting. Both also stated their case before the Genesee County Republican Committee. However, no endorsement vote was taken because a quorum was not present.
--Robert J. McCarthy
