Hamburg Sun

Special to The Sun

Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski has recently positioned himself with the media as an underdog in the Democratic primary
race for county executive, claiming that despite his stellar record and an administration that most people "applaud as a jewel,"
he has been denied the Democratic Party's endorsement by County Chairman Vincent J. Sorrentino, for strictly political reasons.
His opponent, David Swarts, the three-term county clerk, received the endorsement by a 33-20 vote of the Democratic Executive
Committee on April 8.
Gorski said Sorrentino wanted patronage jobs which he (Gorski) refused, causing the rift between the two leaders.
Being questioned at this juncture by the Gorski campaign is the fairness of the endorsement process itself.
Sorrentino says it wasn't his decision alone, but that 32 other Democratic leaders on the Committee preferred Swarts.
"Nothing could have been fairer," Sorrentino said, "it's a very democratic proess."
Gorski disagrees. "Anybody who believes that it is a democratic process is naive," he I said. "... to suggest that Sorrentino doesn't
have control over the committee is ludicrous."
Gorski's opponent sees it a different way.
"What has not come out yet is that of the 20 votes Dennis Gorski received, 15 people work for him and four others had relations
on the payroll." Swarts said, "Of my 33 votes, only one works for me."
"Many of the town leaders who supported me didn't want Dennis Gorski at the head of our ticket."
State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, D-Kenmore, was also considered by the committee for the endorsement.
He discounts the idea that anyone was coerced to vote for Swarts. "The committee voted freely and in their free choice, the
committee weighed various factors. One of the factors, obviously, was the preference of the county chairman.
"But no one was fearful or forced to vote (for Swarts)," he said.
On the other hand, Sorrentino maintains that those who supported Gorski were actually forced to do so.
"Most of those who voted for Gorski had a choice — if they wanted to keep their jobs," he said.
However, one member of the Executive Committee who voted for Gorski and who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he didn't feel pressured to support Gorski. "And I don't believe anybody else (who voted for.. Gorski) did either," he said.
"We work for him. We feel he is doing a great job. It's natural to be loyal."
Swarts' endorsement, however, has caused a furor within the party that has been celebrated widely in the media.
Among party members, many of them scurrying to take sides and others delicately trying to remain neutral, there is a wide range of opinions on the wisdom of the committee's decision.
One elected official said, "This is going to be a totally negative campaign. Now it's kill or be killed. It's going to be one attack after
another."
But Swarts says he doesn't want it that way.
"I vowed not to get into the gutter," be said. "But if Dennis Gorski and his henchmen really get rotten —I will respond. But I will strive to keep it on a higher level."
Gorski also wants to campaign on the high road, although he says he is prepared and expects attacks on his record.
"I suspect my opponents will criticize me.
I'm the person with the record." Gorski said, pointing out that, in an era of deficit spending and political opportunism, his administration has had seven straight balanced budgets and a "scandal-free"
government.
In spite of the political rhetoric and charges and counter charges, many sources feel that if the campaign is relegated to substantive
issues the public may be the real winner here.
One Southtowns committeeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, summed up the feelings of many in the party.
"I hope the two candidates keep the campaign positive and focused on the real issues that effect the voters," he said. "Otherwise
both men belie their oft-repeated statements that they seek to serve the public good."