Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — Sen. George Maziarz (R-Newfane) was among nine senators across New York state who received an endorsement this week from Unshackle Upstate, an advocacy group made up of business and trade organizations from across the upstate region.

Maziarz represents the 62nd Senate district, which includes all of Niagara County and Orleans counties plus the Monroe County towns of Ogden and Sweden.

Jane Corwin (R-Clarence) who is running for the newly outlined 144th Assembly district which includes all of eastern Niagara County plus Wilson and Porter, parts of Erie County and the Orleans County town of Shelby was also endorsed by Unshackle Upstate.

Other local candidates to receive endorsements in the Senate include Republicans Mark Grisanti (R-60) and Michael Ranzenhofer (R-61).

In the Assembly, Republican John Ceretto — whose district includes Grand Island, Cambria, Lewiston, Wheatfield, Niagara and Niagara Falls — was endorsed as was fellow Republican Ray Walter, whose 146th district includes Pendleton and Amherst.

The group also endorsed Republican Steve Hawley, whose 139th district encompasses all of Orleans County except Shelby, along with all of Genesee County and parts of Monroe County.

The endorsements were made through the group’s political action committee, UPAC. Unshackle Upstate called the list — comprised of nine Senate candidates and 21 Assembly candidates — “bi-partisan.” With the exception of two Democrats, the list consists entirely of Republican candidates.

Robin Schimminger, who represents the town and city of Tonawanda and other portions of Erie County, was one of the two Democrats endorsed.

Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, said that the legislative candidates endorsed will help unlock New York’s true economic potential.

 “In 2010, people across the state voted for a stronger economy and economic certainty for families and businesses,” Sampson said. “Working together, we’ve made great strides toward those goals but New York State’s comeback is far from over.”

He added that the endorsed candidates “are committed to improving New York’s business climate and easing the burden on taxpayers.”

In addition to the endorsements, Sampson indicated that Unshackle Upstate’s PAC will use an aggressive mix of paid advertising and social media to support a number of candidates in the weeks leading up to Election Day.