Audio Brown, Peoples-Stokes, M

DOWNTOWN BUFFALO -- Some influential Buffalo and Erie County Democrats this afternoon stood with an Amherst businesswoman who wants to take the reins of the Erie County Democratic Committee from Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan.

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Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, Erie County Legislature Chairwoman Barbara Miller-Williams and Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes announced their support for Sundra L. Ryce at a noontime press conference in Fireman's Park.

Ryce, who is president of SLR Contracting and Service Co., a commercial general contracting business, would be the first woman and first African-American to lead the committee.

Chanel 1:51 p.m.: Listen to what Ryce, herself, had to say:

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1:49 p.m.: Here are Miller-Williams' remarks on Ryce:

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1:37 p.m.: Listen to Peoples-Stokes' comments in support of Ryce:

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1:33 p.m.: Here are the mayor's opening remarks on Ryce, before he introduced Peoples-Stokes:

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12:56 p.m.: In announcing their support for Ryce, Brown, Miller- Williams and Peoples-Stokes stressed Ryce's business experience, saying she brings a "new perspective."

"There is a movement that is taking off and gaining tremendous speed," Brown said.

Rolex watches Ryce said she decided to challenge for the top party post only about a week ago, following the Primary elections. That was when she said she realized the Democratic Party needed to be "re-energized."

The committee has a reorganization meeting scheduled for tomorrow..

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Political Reporter Robert J. McCarthy wrote this about Ryce this week.

Check back for audio from today's press conference in the park, located between Washington and Ellicott streets and North and South Division streets.