Langworthy likes Jacobs’ chances in 60th Senate District, expects crowded Dem primary

Western New York Republicans are welcoming the news that sitting Democratic state Sen. Marc Panepinto is dropping out of the race for the 60th Senate District as they prepare to take a hard run at regaining the seat and holding on to their majority in the chamber.

Erie County GOP boss Nick Langworthy said his party was already heading into the race for the district with confidence, as he saw Panepinto as a flawed and vulnerable incumbent, but the uncertainty created by the party’s pick pulling out has only bolstered their chances.

“I believe that now, my speculation would be, their party will have a very difficult time avoiding a primary,” Langworthy said. “Even with the fact that it’s an open seat, there is a lot of ambition on that side. I suspect that there will be more candidates than they can deal with.”

A number of Democrats were already openly running for the seat or were rumored to be possible challengers to – and now, replacements for – Panepinto. Amber Small, the director of a city community center, began a primary campaign against the incumbent last month. Assemblyman Sean Ryan, whose district has considerable overlap with the 60th Senate District, has been floated as an option to replace Panepinto. Former state Sen. Al Coppola, who primaried Panepinto last time around, also has his hat in the ring.

Republicans lost the seat in 2014 in a contentious four-way race, with Panepinto beating out then-state Sen. Mark Grisanti, Timothy Gallagher and attorney Kevin Stocker, who scored an upset against Grisanti in the Republican primary, forcing the sitting senator to run as a third-party candidate.

With Erie County Clerk Christopher Jacobs as the probable endorsed Republican candidate – he has not officially declared his candidacy, but he has indicated it is likely – the Republicans have a good shot at regaining the seat, despite their enrollment gap in the district, Langworthy said.

“He’s really got a complete package,” Langworthy said. “He’s got a political organization. He has a great fundraising network. He’s got a body of work as an elected official. I believe he would be an outstanding candidate and would win the seat if he ran.”