December 28, 2009

Hon. Chris Collins

Erie County Executive
295 Main Street, Suite 950
Buffalo, NY 14203

Dear County Executive Collins:

New York State is in crisis. Bloated spending, highest in the nation taxes and three
men in a room who are all Democrats are pushing our state towards a calamity from
which we may never recover. As a result of one poor choice after another, New York
can no longer pay its bills.

As leaders of the Republican Party in counties across New York, we recognize that the
time for bold and committed leadership is now. That is why we are asking you to run for
Governor of New York as the 2010 Republican nominee.

In the last two years, you have proven that running government on business principles
works. At one time Erie County was plagued by deficits and diminishing services while
being under the oversight of a control board. In two short years, you have created a
culture where services are provided efficiently, surpluses are the norm and the control
board no longer oversees the day-to-day county finances.

Your success is confirmed with the passage of Erie County’s 2010 budget which holds
the line on spending at an increase of only two-tenths of one percent while maintaining
and enhancing services to taxpayers. All this while the federal, state and some county
governments drown in a sea of red ink and are unable to get spending in check.

It is now time to put taxpayers first in New York State like you have in Erie County. By
doing so, you are also further advancing the needs of Erie County taxpayers by doing
for them at the state level, exactly what you are doing for them at county level.

With your candidacy and ultimate election as our Governor in 2010, we believe that we
will reverse our state’s rapid decline and once again make New York the Empire State.

Sincerely,

John Graziano James Domagalski

Republican Chairman Republican Chairman
Albany County Erie County
Jay Savino Robert Christman
Republican Chairman Republican Chairman
Bronx County Allegany County

Jim Ellis Lowell G. Conrad

Republican Chairman Republican Chairman
Franklin County Livingston County

Ed Morgan Jack Casey

Republican Chairman Republican Chairman
Orleans County Rensselaer County

Paula Snyder Donald Coon

Republican Chairwoman Republican Chairman
Cattaraugus County Jefferson County

Kenneth Padgett John DeSpirito III

Republican Chairman Republican Chairman
Seneca County Onondaga County

Richard Siebert Leonard Govern

Republican Chairman Republican Chairman
Genesee County Delaware County

Cherl Heary
Republican Chairwoman
Cayuga County