 On March 15, 1988, Tokasz was elected to the New York State Assembly, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Dennis T. Gorski as Erie County Executive.Tokasz was re-elected several times and remained in the Assembly until 2006, sitting in the 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th and 196th New York State Legislatures.He was Majority Leader from 2001 to 2006.