Add the name of Town of Tonawanda Councilwoman Lisa A. Chimera to the list of potential candidates for the State Senate district now represented by Republican incumbent Mark J. Grisanti.
Town of Tonawanda Democratic Chairman John J. Crangle said Friday that several Democratic leaders are encouraging Chimera to consider the race. He noted the councilwoman has twice registered as the town's top vote getter in recent elections, and that she is well known as a curriculum learning specialist in the Ken-Ton School District.
Others have noted the potential appeal of an Italian-American woman from Tonawanda.
Chimera has made no decision, Crangle said.
She would be joined on the Democratic side by former Legislature Chairman Charles M. Swanick, the only candidate to formally declare. Others eyeing the race include government downsizing advocate Kevin P. Gaughan, Kenmore Mayor Patrick Mang, and attorneys Marc Panepinto and Michael Amodeo.
--Robert J. McCarthy
