Paul Tokasz (born 1946) is an American politician from New York. He represented District 143 which comprises the towns of Lancaster, and Cheektowaga, and villages of Depew, Lancaster and Sloan, from 1988 to 2006.

Paul Tokasz
Member of the New York State Assembly
for the 143rd District
In office
1988–2006
Preceded byDennis T. Gorski
Succeeded byDennis Gabryszak
Personal details
Born1946 (age 77–78)
Alma materBuffalo State College

Biography edit

He was born in 1946, of Polish ancestry.[1] He graduated B.A. in history from Hobart College in 1968, and M.A. in education from Buffalo State College. He taught school at public schools in Buffalo, New York, from 1968 to 1977.

He entered politics as a Democrat, and was Clerk of the Erie County Legislature in 1977; Deputy County Clerk (in charge of the Auto Bureau) of Erie County from 1977 to 1986; and First Deputy County Clerk from 1987 to 1988.

On March 15, 1988, Tokasz was elected to the New York State Assembly, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Dennis T. Gorski as Erie County Executive.[2] Tokasz was re-elected several times and remained in the Assembly until 2006, sitting in the 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th and 196th New York State Legislatures. He was Majority Leader from 2001 to 2006.[3] In July 2006, he announced that he would not seek re-election later that year.[4] to become a lobbyist.[5]

He lives in Cheektowaga.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.
  2. ^ Lynn, Frank (March 16, 1988). "Democrats Take Assembly Seats In 4 of 5 Races". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  3. ^ From Speaker Of Assembly, Punishment And Rewards by Richard Perez Pena, in the New York Times on January 9, 2001
  4. ^ "Albany: Assembly Majority Leader to Retire". The New York Times. July 14, 2006. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  5. ^ Danny Hakim (January 28, 2008). "Former Assemblyman Spreads the Largess as a Lobbyist". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  6. ^ UB Law Alumni to Honor Six at Annual Dinner on April 10, 2003
New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly
143rd District

1988–2006
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly
2001–2006
Succeeded by