Christopher J. Lee not only officially announced his Republican congressional candidacy Wednesday, but also latched on to an increasingly popular campaign theme around these parts.

“I am not a career politician,” he told about 50 supporters outside Amherst Town Hall. “I am a local businessman with over 20 years of experience who has seen firsthand what is required to create jobs and provide real solutions to the issues Western New Yorkers face.”

That carried County Executive Chris Collins to victory last year and underlies the candidacies of a host of Republicans and Democrats in this year’s effort to succeed Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, RClarence. But unless Rick Lewis, president of the Talking Phone Book, or other GOP rivals mount a last-minute primary challenge, Lee seems to have crystallized party support, with James P. Domagalski, chairman of the Erie County Republican Party, attending Wednesday’s event.

As Collins’ allies, Domagalski and Henry F. Wojtaszek, chairman of the Niagara County Republican Party, had been on board the Lewis bandwagon. Although they voted for Lewis at a Republican meeting Monday in Geneseo, Domagalski’s remarks Wednesday showed that the congressional district’s seven party chairmen are with Lee.

“I am proud that our party has worked in a businesslike, nonpartisan way to change the dynamic of how elections are run in Western New York,” Domagalski said. “Chris Lee feels comfortable in stepping forward, as Chris Collins did last year.”

Collins, an enthusiastic Lewis supporter, did not attend Lee’s announcement Wednesday. Grant Loomis, a spokesman, said Collins will not publicly support another candidate until Lewis determines whether to mount a primary campaign, a decision expected in the next few days.

Christopher L. Jacobs, a businessman and Buffalo Board of Education member, did not return several phone calls seeking comment on his future in the race for the Republican nomination.

David Bellavia, an author and Iraq War veteran, said earlier this week he still hopes to gain the support of rank-and- file Republicans in the 26th Congressional District.

But none of that holds Lee back. The Amherst resident and former businessman — his family once owned International Motion Control Corp. — is moving full steam ahead into a race against one of three prospective Democrats.

Lee, 44, said his campaign will be based on traditional Republican themes of “creating jobs, lowering taxes and eliminating needless regulation.”

At his Wednesday announcement, he continually referred to problems small businesses encounter with the federal government and said his experience has convinced him of the need for reform.

“I have seen firsthand the devastating impact that government regulations, high taxes and government red tape have had,” he said, “not just on our businesses, but most importantly on families.”

Lee is expected to emphasize his business experience in the Collins mode and as Democrat Jack Davis has throughout his three campaigns for the Reynolds seat. A graduate of the University of Rochester with an master’s degree in international business from Chapman College in California, Lee worked for more than 20 years in international sales and marketing, and as president of International Motion Control’s automation group before the family sold the business last year.

As a result, he said he plans to apply those lessons as a congressman.

“More than talk, I can point to experience I have had in the private sector,” he said. “As a small-business man, I had to make tough decisions and seize opportunities.”

Lee was accompanied at his announcement by his wife, Michele, and their 3-year-old son, Jonathan.