BY JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal
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 The three candidates for Erie County District Attorney: from top, Frank Sedita III, Diane LaVallee and Kenneth Case. Sedita has the Democratic endorsement, and longtime Democrat LaVallee has been backed by the Republican Party. JIM COURTNEY/BUSINESS FIRST
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Only Kenneth Case, a former assistant district attorney, was planning to challenge Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark in a September primary for the Democrat slot in the November election.
But Clark’s announcement May 12 that he wouldn’t seek re-election due to health reasons opened the race wide open. Clark, who was expected to garner endorsement on all five party lines this year, ran unopposed in 2000 and 2004.
Assistant District Attorney Frank Sedita III and Diane LaVallee, a former assistant district attorney, stepped up to the plate shortly after Clark’s announcement.
The Erie County Democratic Committee endorsed Sedita, who comes from a family of lawyers and judges — his father is state Supreme Court Justice Hon. Frank Sedita Jr.
“He’s a young vigorous individual who will bring fresh new ideas and energy to the DA’s office,” said Democratic Committee chairman Len Lenihan. “He has the expertise needed to fight crime.”
Sedita is also endorsed by the local Conservative and Independence parties.
The Erie County Republican Committee endorsed LaVallee, a registered Democrat, to run as a Republican in the September primary.