With all the hubbub and celebrations over the GOP’s resounding local election wins all across New York on Tuesday, we missed this story about one local Republican Party organization that is saying goodbye to it’s incredibly successful leader.
Our friend Hobbes over at Niagara Times blog reported that 9-year Niagara County GOP Chairman Henry Wojtaszek will resign his post for both family and business reasons. Obviously there’s nothing to read into with this announcement as Wojtaszek leaves this year with a 14-5 GOP majority in the Niagara County Legislature and wins in both the City of North Tonawanda and in Supervisor races throughout the County.
We have a great deal of respect for Wojtaszek (46) and considered him to be a great candidate for GOP State Party Chair. Henry is a young and energetic rising star in the Republican Party and would have brought a fresh perspective along with an excellent grasp of New Media strategies to our struggling state party. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be and it is incumbent that County GOP parties in New York rally round Chairman Ed Cox to build on this year’s local electoral wins going into next year’s campaigns.
More from Hobbes:
Henry F. Wojtaszek will resign next week as Niagara County Republican Chairman to return to his private law practice and spend more time with his family. “It’s time to get back out there and get back to work, and maybe coach my son’s basketball team,” Wojtaszek said this morning.
Wojtaszek, 46, has led the Niagara County GOP since 2000. He said today he is leaving after a string of victories in Tuesday’s elections, including capturing most offices in the City of North Tonawanda, winning almost all town supervisor posts, and building a 14-to-5 Republican majority in the County Legislature.
He said he leaves at a time when the party “has never been stronger.”
“We recruited outstanding candidates at all levels for public office,” he said. “Our candidates offered voters ideas for improving our community and then delivered. For that, the voters have consistently given us their support.
(snip)
“The time has come to hand the reins off to someone else and pursue some other interests and career goals,” he said. “My work with the party takes up a lot of time and energy. My wife and three children have been more than patient with me.”
We have a great deal of respect for Wojtaszek. Many party leaders would understandably want to ride out their successes, sometimes to the eventual detriment of their party. By turning over the reigns to new leadership while the Niagara GOP Party is strong, Wojtaszek is giving the new leader the opportunity to get up and running without concern of a looming Democratic Party takeover. That is perhaps one of the most selfless acts of party loyalty we’ve ever seen from either side and ensures their continued success well into the future.
Hats off to you Henry on a great run. Monroerising wishes you much success in the future and expects you’ll still be involved in Niagara politics. Cheers!