Corning Mayor Tom Reed, a Republican, will challenge Democratic Representative Eric Massa in the 2010 Congressional elections.

Reed announced his bid in Pittsford this afternoon.

During the press conference, excerpts from three letters were read - one from county Republican Party chair Bill Reilich, one from County Executive Maggie Brooks, and one from State Senator Jim Alesi. Each offered their endorsement of Reed, and Reilich's said the county GOP endorses him as well.

Reed was flanked by a number of Republican elected officials, including Assembly member Joe Errigo, Pittsford Supervisor Bill Carpenter, Perinton Supervisor James Smith, and Penfield Supervisor George Wiedemer.

Speaking to the crowd, Reed said that he's spent the last four months talking to people throughout the 29th District.

"Each time it is reconfirmed to me that our nation is on the wrong path," he said.

Deficit spending is major concern, he said. He supports a philosophy of personal accountability and responsibility, "A philosophy where the government is not the guarantor of each individual's success" but rather guarantees each person's opportunity to succeed, he said.

The voters in this neck of the 29th Congressional District are more likely to be familiar with Massa than they are with Reed, which explains the early start to Reed's campaign. Massa, who is also from Corning, took office in January, after defeating incumbent Republican Randy Kuhl.

State Democrats, meanwhile, wasted no time going after Reed - in an e-mail they said that Reed raised taxes and fees on Corning residents this year. Massa, meanwhile, has been under constant attack from the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee since taking office.