Republican Chris Lee has launched his bid to replace Congressman Tom Reynolds. From his Web site:

Christopher is a businessman with over 20 years of private sector experience. He joined Enidine in 1995, and held various positions throughout his tenure at that organization including Pacific Rim Sales Manager, Director of International Sales and Marketing and lastly General Manager. During this time period, significant product and market expansion was achieved.

Christopher was promoted to President of the Automation Group, a division of International Motion Control in 2003. With his sales and financial background, unrelenting work ethic and strong negotiation skills, he concentrated on bringing additional acquisitions into IMC. By 2007 numerous manufacturing facilities existed in the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea and China. All told, IMC employed over 1,200 people worldwide and had a global distribution network of over 300 independent distributors.

Prior to joining the family business, Christopher spent seven years working in the IT industry. Most notable positions were Director of Sales and Sales Operations Manager for Microtek Lab in California.

Since the sale of the company, Christopher has played a significant role in the formation of the Patrick P. Lee Foundation. The newly formed family foundation allows the opportunity to give back to the Western New York community.

The Lockport Journal writes:

Lee, 44, said he’s aiming to replace retiring incumbent Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, so he can give the Capitol the perspective of a small businessman from a region stunted by high taxes, hyper-regulation and the flight of native talent.

“For too long, we have heard about creating jobs, lowering taxes and eliminating needless regulation. Unfortunately, the results have not matched the rhetoric,” Lee said. “Western New Yorkers are demanding real reform, real change, real leadership and real solutions.”

Lee was the majority choice, but not the unanimous choice, of GOP county committee chairmen when they met this past Monday in Batavia to decide who the party apparatus is backing in the coming race. Niagara County GOP Chairman Henry Wojtaszek had supported Talking Phone Book executive Rick Lewis. On Wednesday, he said that was then and now he’s fully behind Lee.

“It’s the process we agreed to,” Wojtaszek said. “We’re working on making Chris Lee our next congressman.”

Lee’s campaign is being managed by Erie County GOP Committee Executive Director Nick Langworthy, who previously worked for Reynolds. Current Reynolds staffer Amy Moore also turned out to the Lockport kickoff.

For more information see WFBO, Democrat & Chronicle, WXXI, The Buffalo News, The Buffalo Bean