Gubernatorial endorsements from county Republican committees are beginning to roll in and will continue throughout the month.

"We're not married to a timeline. I thought it was very important to have this debate so that we could really see the candidates in action,” said Nick Langworthy, Erie County GOP chair.

The Erie County Committee is planning a debate for next Saturday.

All three candidates, former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb and state Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco all plan to participate.

"I know them individually but really having people put to the test of answering questions in a structured setting I think gives you a preview of what they're going to be like in a general election,” said Langworthy.

He says he'll stay neutral until after the event.

Down the thruway, Monroe County Chairman Bill Reilich plans to poll his executive committee next week to find out who it wants to support.

He has personally endorsed Kolb.

"I worked as a colleague in the New York State Assembly and I know the type of individual that he is. He cares deeply about the state. This is where his roots are but he also understands State Government," said Reilich.

Kolb has already received the endorsement of several county committees in his Finger Lakes region.

On Thursday, Onondaga County backed DeFrancisco.

"Today you've seen Senator Defrancisco's hometown county and Tom Dadey, the county chair there, endorse his candidacy. It's not particularly surprising you get a hometown bump,” said Langworthy.

Although the state party can't legally endorse a candidate until the convention at the end of May, it is planning a straw poll of all the county chairs at the beginning of March.

"I would say that's a pretty good indicator. That will give you an advance on the outcome and I think it's going to be helpful to have that determined in early March because it's a big race and they need all the time they can to campaign and meet the people,” said Reilich.

"I think there's still plenty of room for someone else to get into the race and I know conversations and I know people making considerations privately, but at some point, that door will close,” said Langworthy.

Erie and Monroe Counties represent roughly six percent each of the state party's weighted vote.