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WEBSTER -- Stephen Minarik, a former state and county Republican chairman, has died. He was 49.Minarik suffered a heart attack Sunday morning, officials said.

Minarik took control of the Monroe County GOP in 1992 and held the position until late 2008. Young and aggressive, he compiled an enviable winning percentage, helping Republicans take the county executive's job and win control of the county legislature. He headed the state party from late 2004 to late 2006.