Who will fill Rep. Chris Lee's shoes?

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor Andrew Cuomo will likely call a special election to fill the vacancy left by former Congressman Chris Lee, and the list of possible successors is literally growing by the hour.

Former Erie County Republican Chair Bob Davis said, "It's just shocking."

Davis says there are good candidates out there, like Clarence State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin.

"She's very popular and let's face it, this is not going to be inexpensive. Jane has the ability to raise the money and self-fund the campaign if you will," said Davis.

>> See a map of the 26th congressional district here, courtesy of Lee's website

We stopped by Corwin's Clarence office Wednesday night, but she wasn't in. Chris Collins name has been tossed around as well, but his spokesman says the Erie County County Executive has no interest in running. Nick Langworthy is the current Erie County Republican Party Chair. We tried reaching him Wednesday night and he never returned our calls. State Senator George Maziarz is another strong possibility.

"I guess I would gauge my interest level as pretty high," said Senator Maziarz.

But there's a tenuous situation with the New York State Senate.

Davis said, "It's 32 to 30. Senator Maziarz steps down and runs for this seat and wins, what happens to that seat? There's a special election. If the Dems capture that seat, the Republicans lose control of the Senate."

Sen. Maziarz says he suspects the Senate will do just fine without him.

Sen. Maziarz said, "I think the Republicans would come up with a great candidate for the Senate seat and I think we could maintain the seat."

Although it's a Republican district by around 30,000 votes, Democrats say don't rule out a Democratic candidate.

Erie County Democratic Chair Len Lenihan said, "That seat will be on the ballot and we're gonna go for it."

Lenihan says he has at least two strong candidates in mind for a special election.

"Kathy Hochul would be a strong candidate. Mark Poloncarcz could be a strong candidate for that job and has expressed some interest," said Lenihan.

Other names being tossed around are former State Assemblyman Jack Quinn, Assemblyman Jim Hayes of Amherst, and Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, just to name a few.