BUFFALO, N.Y. — First-time candidate Manny Alicandro is learning just how quickly things can change in politics.

Last week, the Republican officially announced he was running for attorney general. Within a matter of hours, the incumbent Democrat had resigned amid accusations of domestic violence.

"The wire hit with the story and then it was a different world," Alicandro said. "Everybody was pointing to their phones at that event saying, 'are you aware what's going on?’"

Alicandro said the chain of events is not dramatically changing the way he campaigns. Monday, he began an upstate swing through Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

"We still have the same message, really. It's cleaning up the culture of corruption. I like to talk about corruption in Albany being like a pothole that never gets filled," he said.

But Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy said things have changed. With no incumbent in place and Democrats potentially moving toward a divisive primary, he believes there's an opportunity to put a Republican in the AG's Office for the first time in years. Langworthy met with Alicandro in Buffalo.

"I'm eager to talk to him about his vision for the race, how he intends to capitalize on the situation for an open seat but as you know, an open seat attracts much more competition," he said.

Already, Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach and a handful of others are exploring a run.

"You can't expect this to happen overnight but by the time we convene this convention on May 23, someone has to be a candidate or not," Langworthy said.

He said his first call was to 2014 attorney general candidate John Cahill, who he believes can clear the GOP field if he decides to enter.

"Many of my colleagues are very impressed with the way he handled himself. He actually got more votes than our gubernatorial candidate did in 2014," Langworthy said.

Alicandro, however, believes the party should coalesce around him.

"I'm the one who had the mettle to jump into this race when nobody really thought I had a chance," he said.

Alicandro, like Langworthy, would like to avoid a primary but he has not ruled it out if he's not selected at the convention.