CANANDAIGUA - Brian Kolb said in 10 years, he doesn't want to have any regrets.
That's why the state Assemblyman Monday decided to enter a competitive Republican primary for the congressional seat held by Amo Houghton, who is retiring at the end of the year after 10 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kolb's decision means that he must relinquish his claim to his Assembly District, which includes part of Cayuga County. Even if he loses the congressional primary, he will be unable to retain the Assembly seat, also up for election in November.
"Running for Congress has always been a lifelong dream," Kolb said. "I think what really made me decide to run was my involvement in trying to save the Canandaigua VA Hospital."
Kolb said that fight - which would have left veterans without a hospital center in the region - reinforced for him the importance of public advocacy and constituent representation.
The 51-year-old Kolb, a college instructor and a former business owner, joins a crowded field of Republican contenders for the 29th Congressional District that extends from the Corning area to Rochester.
Those planning to run include state Sen. John "Randy" Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, Monroe County legislators Mark Assini and Bill Smith, Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Bill Nojay and Rochester businessman Geoffrey Rosenberger.
"It's going to be a great experience one way or the other," Kolb said. "I love a challenge and I love taking on the establishment."
Kuhl, a senator for many years and an Assemblyman before that, received the endorsement of state Sen. Dale Volker, R-Depew Monday.
"There's tough competition, but every election I've had, I've had a tough battle." Kolb said.
He said when he first decided to run for Assembly, there was competition for the Republican nomination, although that competition didn't extend to a primary.
However, in the general election in 1998, Kolb's win over Canandaigua Democrat Sam Casella came down to fewer than 10 votes and was contested in state court.
Casella ran against Kolb again in 2000 and lost, by a larger margin. In 2002, Kolb defeated Democrat Francine D'Amico, a Syracuse University political science professor from Geneva.
Kolb said a Republican primary in the congressional race means the choice of the party's candidate will come down to the voters, and not the party bosses.
"A primary is good news, it's a good thing, and it's happening in a lot of races in New York," he said. "The competition makes the candidates sharper on issues."
For Kolb, the most important issue is jobs.
"My business experience is something none of the other candidates have," he said.
He said he is looking at the district as a uniform entity and is not taking a regional approach to the contest.
"The next congressman must recognize that this is a diverse district and represent all eight counties and every town equally, regardless of geographic location," Kolb said when he announced he was running. "To do any less is a disservice to the people and a slight against the rest of the district."
There is no announced Democratic candidate for the congressional seat, but Corning Democrat Samara Barend has expressed interest.
Meanwhile, the only announced candidate for Kolb's assembly seat is former Seneca County Sheriff Tom Fox, a Republican.
Staff writer Louise Hoffman Broach can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or louise.hoffman@lee.net
Kolb's decision means that he must relinquish his claim to his Assembly District, which includes part of Cayuga County. Even if he loses the congressional primary, he will be unable to retain the Assembly seat, also up for election in November.
"Running for Congress has always been a lifelong dream," Kolb said. "I think what really made me decide to run was my involvement in trying to save the Canandaigua VA Hospital."
Kolb said that fight - which would have left veterans without a hospital center in the region - reinforced for him the importance of public advocacy and constituent representation.
The 51-year-old Kolb, a college instructor and a former business owner, joins a crowded field of Republican contenders for the 29th Congressional District that extends from the Corning area to Rochester.
Those planning to run include state Sen. John "Randy" Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, Monroe County legislators Mark Assini and Bill Smith, Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Bill Nojay and Rochester businessman Geoffrey Rosenberger.
"It's going to be a great experience one way or the other," Kolb said. "I love a challenge and I love taking on the establishment."
Kuhl, a senator for many years and an Assemblyman before that, received the endorsement of state Sen. Dale Volker, R-Depew Monday.
"There's tough competition, but every election I've had, I've had a tough battle." Kolb said.
He said when he first decided to run for Assembly, there was competition for the Republican nomination, although that competition didn't extend to a primary.
However, in the general election in 1998, Kolb's win over Canandaigua Democrat Sam Casella came down to fewer than 10 votes and was contested in state court.
Casella ran against Kolb again in 2000 and lost, by a larger margin. In 2002, Kolb defeated Democrat Francine D'Amico, a Syracuse University political science professor from Geneva.
Kolb said a Republican primary in the congressional race means the choice of the party's candidate will come down to the voters, and not the party bosses.
"A primary is good news, it's a good thing, and it's happening in a lot of races in New York," he said. "The competition makes the candidates sharper on issues."
For Kolb, the most important issue is jobs.
"My business experience is something none of the other candidates have," he said.
He said he is looking at the district as a uniform entity and is not taking a regional approach to the contest.
"The next congressman must recognize that this is a diverse district and represent all eight counties and every town equally, regardless of geographic location," Kolb said when he announced he was running. "To do any less is a disservice to the people and a slight against the rest of the district."
There is no announced Democratic candidate for the congressional seat, but Corning Democrat Samara Barend has expressed interest.
Meanwhile, the only announced candidate for Kolb's assembly seat is former Seneca County Sheriff Tom Fox, a Republican.
Staff writer Louise Hoffman Broach can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or louise.hoffman@lee.net
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