Stephen J. Minarik III
PER
Stephen J. Minarik III Minarik
John Spencer, a Republican who hopes to challenge Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton this year, yesterday picked up the endorsement of the chairman of the state Republican Party, Stephen J. Minarik III, who just months ago was writing him off as a second-tier candidate. The turnaround reflects what a messy political season it has been for New York Republicans: Their two major candidates for the Senate quit last year because of gaffes and a lack of political support, and Mr. Minarik is trying to slow the bleeding by embracing Mr. Spencer, who has strong conservative support. After Jeanine F. Pirro, whom Mr. Minarik initially preferred, dropped out in December, he began praising Mr. Spencer, partly as an overture to Mr. Spencer's allies in the Conservative Party of New York, whose votes would be crucial in statewide and legislative races.