WAUKESHA, WI -- Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker kicked off his presidential campaign at a convention center near Milwaukee on Monday.
"We are so honored to have you join with us today as we officially announce that we are running to serve as your president of the United States of America," the Republican told the crowd.
Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy was among a small delegation from New York in attendance.
"I think he's just been an outstanding governor, a transformational leader for the people of Wisconsin, someone who's fought hard for the taxpayers. He's been a lot like a lot of the Republicans that we've elected in Erie County," Langworthy said.
Langworthy said he's fully behind Walker as the governor gets ready for the Republican primary next year.
"I am not pushing for a full county-wide endorsement," Langworthy said. "There's a lot of diversity. There are 15 candidates so far declared for the presidential election. This is my personal preference. I haven't really had full-blown discussions with the executive committee."
Some prominent local Republicans are already lining up behind other candidates in the crowded primary field. Last month, Rep. Chris Collins was among a group to bring former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to Buffalo and former U.S. Ambassador Anthony Gioia will co-host a fundraiser for presidential hopeful Marco Rubio in August.
"Typically a county chairman this early on is going to want to see how things develop, see how the field shakes out, particularly in a year like 2016 on the Republican side," Republican analyst Vic Martucci said.
But Martucci said Langworthy is a "different breed" of chairman. He believes Langworthy is taking a calculated risk. Martucci said the odds of dividing the party are slim and if Walker is elected he'll remember who his early friends were.
"If (Langworthy) ends up on the right side of this thing he dramatically increases his clout and if Scott Walker gets elected in all likelihood Nick will be the state chairman," Martucci said.
Langworthy helped bring another candidate, New York real-estate mogul Donald Trump, to Buffalo last year when he was considering a run for governor. Langworthy said he hasn't had any conversation with Trump about his presidential goals.
"I have been preparing to support Governor Walker for months and months before I even knew other candidates were running," he said.
Langworthy said he hopes to bring Walker to Buffalo in the near future.