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Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A county elections commissioner says turnout for this primary day will depend on where the races are.
"It'll be spotty," says Erie County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward. "There will be places where almost nobody will be coming in and then there will be other places where that might be a high turnout for a primary."
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If you are registered with a political party, today is the day you get to select some of the state and local candidates who appear under your party's name in November. Polls are open from 6am -9 pm in Erie County, and from 12 noon to 9 pm in Niagara County. FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE In Erie County | In Niagara County |
"Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, and Hamburg could see a large turnout," says Ward. He projects 25 percent turnout for those races.
The Republican side also has big races, namely the GOP State Senate primary between Mark Grisanti and Kevin Stocker, and the four candidate race for the Assembly seat that includes parts of Wyoming County.
Those races could see turnout of up to 30 percent according to Ward.
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Many of the races, especially the Grisanti/Stockerrace have been marked by agressive direct mail pieces and vicious charges. See More "Anti Gay Marraige Attack Piece in NY Senate Race" " It's unfortunate, but again, and I've said this several times, the negative campaign, as much as people don't like it, it does move the needle, and some candidates will resort to that," --former NYS Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz |
" It's despicable, and in some cases people arent taking credit for these deplorable messages," says Tokasz, a Cheektowaga Democrat who now works as a lobbyist. Hear More From Tokasz Exclusive WBEN Audio On The WBEN Liveline |
Race By Race, District By District
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Republican Primaries Buffalo, Orchard Park, Lackawanna, 60th Senate District; Incumbent Mark Grisanti being challenged by Attorney Kevin Stocker - A race that has been marked by massive advertising, and sometimes vicious outside attacks, the party's general committee has backed Grisanti, while those who support Stocker have concentrated on Grisanti's involvement in a fight at the Seneca Niagara Casino, and his vote as one of a few Repubicans in favor of gay marriage. Niagara County: Niagara Falls, Newfane 62nd Senate District: Incumbent George Maziarz versus NF School Board Member Johnny Destino In both of the above races, the challenger is being backed by developer Carl Paladino, striving to bring a more conservative set of voices to Albany and the local Republican party. East Aurora, Elma, parts of Wyoming County: 147th Assembly District: David DiPietro, Chris Lane, Dan Humiston and David Mariacher are all vying for the right to replace retiring Assemblyman Dan Burling of Warsaw. Humiston also faces an Independence Party primary with Democrat Christina Abt. 146th Assembly Dist. Incumbent Republican Ray Walter is on the ballot in the Independence primary, to gain another ballot line in November. He is challenged there by Joanne Schultz Republican Erie County Comptroller candidate Stefan Mychajliw faces a similar Independence Party Primary to gain another line on the ballot. He is being challenged there by Megin Lavin before facing incumbent Democrat David Shenk in November. Colden, Town Justice: Incumbent Victoria Zach faces Michael Schneider in five primaries: Democrat, Republican, Independent, Conservative, Working Family and Independence Party primaries |
Democratic Primaries Buffalo, Orchard Park, Lackawanna, 60th Senate District; Michael Amodeo, Al Copolla and Chuck Swanick . -Amodeo is the endorsed Democrat, Copolla is running after having held the seat briefly in 2000. Swanick positions himself as an independent after serving as both Democrat and Republican in the Erie County Legislature. South & East Buffalo, Cheektowaga 63rd Senate Dist. Incumbent Tim Kennedy being challenged by Erie Legislature Chair Betty Jean Grant. - Grant is an African American candidate who could appeal to new voters, added into the district from Buffalo's East Side. In debates she has accused Kennedy of being to cozy with then Executive Chris Collins, a Republican when they were both on the county legislature North Buffalo, 149th Assembly Dist. Sean Ryan, Kevin Gaughan and Joe Mascia. This is a newly redrawn and renumbered district, where Ryan is coming off his first term in the Assembly after a special election to replace Sam Hoyt. Gaughan comes in with high name recognition for his role as a regionalism and downsizing activist, with past runs for Buffalo Mayor & US Congress. Mascia is a Buffalo Housing Auth. Comm., who could win if Gaughan and Ryan split the vote among mainstream Democrats. Buffalo, South Dist. Council Race: Christopher Scanlon, Kevin Lafferty, AJ Verel, Patrick Burke Scanlon was appointed to the council post as a replacement for now Assemblyman Mickey Kearns. Verel and Lafferty were among those who fought earlier for the appointment. Lackawanna: Anette Iafallo and Rebecca Darch to fill the 2nd ward seat Colden, Town Justice: Incumbent Victoria Zach faces Michael Schneider in five primaries: Democrat, Republican, Independent, Conservative, Working Family and Independence.
Collins Town Justice Matthew Smith faces Walter Cain in both the Democratic and Independence Party primaries
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