CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Fillmore District Council member Mitch Nowakowski is eyeing the next step in his career. He tells 7 News he is interested in seeking the nomination from the Democratic party to run for the 63rd State Senate district.
"I really looked at what did I think that I was the best fit for and where do I think that opportunity can present itself where I could serve in a greater capacity and for me right now that looks like the 63rd Senate district," Nowakowski said.
Nowakowski sat down with 7 News' Kristen Mirand at Alton's in Cheektowaga — one of the areas that make up the 63rd district.
"And it's an incredibly diverse district and I believe that I am uniquely prepared to take an extremely diverse district and bring it together," he told Mirand.
His announcement comes after State Senator Tim Kennedy said he intends to run for Congress once Representative Brian Higgins retires in February. He said this new role is contingent on if Kennedy leaves his seat.
"What do you think you can bring to Albany?" Mirand asked.
"I think that I can bring a really fightin' spirit that I have to me and I can bring passion but I can also bring a lot of knowledge when it comes local municipalities and government work," Nowakowski answered.
For years, Nowakowski has worked inside Buffalo City Hall — first as a staffer and then council member. The Fillmore District Council member said he is withdrawing his run for council president for this opportunity.
"In life, you got to shoot your shot and these opportunities only come really once a decade and so I think it's really important that I look at really where I could serve the best," he said.
Since joining office, Nowakowski said he feels he has fought for the Fillmore District.
"Delivering emergency services, fighting for transparency, making sure that we're being inclusive of everyone and fighting for those that are living with disabilities in the city and public transportation and housing equality these are all issues that I've fought for in the Council that I want to directly take and fight for in the New York State Senate," he said.
While talking about the possibility of being in Albany and his relationship with Governor Kathy Hochul, he said there will be an opportunity in the senate where the governor needs a strong partner in Albany and someone who will have her back.
"I think that the governor needs really a supporter in delivering on behalf of the state but also on behalf of Western New York," Nowakowski said.
Part of Nowakowski's district includes Buffalo's east side.
"We're hearing a lot, especially after 5/14 of investing in the east side and we've heard all those announcements and all those dollars coming into that area but we really have yet to see it," Mirand said.
"That'll absolutely be a priority to me," Nowakowski said, "And so I have the unique ability to not only if I was able to fight and bring back the money I would know where to put it and how to put it in."
Should Nowakowski leave his role with Buffalo's Common Council, the majority of the council would appoint someone to take his seat to represent the Fillmore district.
Nowakowski's announcement points to the larger political domino effect in Western New York.
"I find this to be significant," 7 News' political analyst Bob McCarthy said.
McCarthy said this announcement could one day be part of a bigger plan.
"The last three mayors of Buffalo back to Jim Griffin, Tony Massiello, Byron Brown, they've all come from the same. I think that Mitch Nowakowski harbors some mayoral ambitions, think that he sees this as a very good avenue to City Hall," he said.
McCarthy said other political figures in Western New York could enter the race for Kennedy's seat.
"I would say that Chris Scanlon from the South district would be very much a candidate if he deems that he would like to do that. April Baskin, the chairwoman of the [Erie] County Legislature could be entering into this," he said.
Mirand reached out to Scanlon's office about this.
"I’ve had the great privilege of spending more than a decade serving on the Buffalo Common Council, trying to help make Buffalo the cleanest, safest, most equitable city possible for people to live and raise a family. If the NYS Senate provides an opportunity to further those efforts, it is definitely something I would consider."
Baskin's office could not be reached for comment.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Since this story aired, Baskin has announced she is seeking nomination for the seat. You can find more information here.
