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Zellner wins big in the Senate special election With all the snow and cold we now know how hardy the base of voters is in the state Senate’s 61st District. The turnout, as expected, was low, but Jeremy Zellner’s win was solid. Here are the vote totals with all but two of the 128 Election Districts reporting as of midnight: Zellner, Democrat – 18,752 votes; 60 percent of the total votes cast…

Zellner wins big in the Senate special election

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets The weather has been brutal as of late. The end of the Bills’ season was also brutal. Topping it all off was that strange press conference with Terry Pegula and Brandon Beane. Here are some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets: With Kansas City, Baltimore, and Cincinnati removed from the playoffs it should have gone better, even with all games on the road.

Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets

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Campaign financials set the stage for the 2026 elections There are many ways to evaluate a candidate and his or her opportunities to be elected. Things like public identity, their stand on issues, the relevance of their party endorsements, campaign staff, and the resources they have available to run the campaign all play a part. Ability to raise funds, how they spend their money, and how much cash-on-hand they have is critically important in an age where earned media is hard to come by and a candidate must buy mailers and electronic media spots.

Campaign financials set the stage for the 2026 elections

3 months ago 0 0 0 0
Wanna bet how big sports online wagering is in New York State? It’s big, really big. And growing bigger all the time. Betting has been available in New York State for a long time. The bingo games that grandma enjoyed so much seem like a hundred-years-ago thing. Grandma and a whole lot of other people have a whole lot of other options today. There is, of course, the lottery. In the most recent year with numbers available, 2024-2025, $10.3 billion in tickets were sold.

Wanna bet how big sports online wagering is in New York State?

3 months ago 0 0 0 0
The special election in Senate District 61; Blakeman’s financial management of Nassau County; Langworthy back on TV; the Granville story just keeps on coming Happy New Year! So what better way to kick off the new year than with a special election! The race is on in state Senate District 61. Mayor Sean Ryan’s resignation from the seat on December 31st led to Governor Kathy Hochul’s January 2nd announcement that the special election will be held in just four weeks, February 3rd. Early voting begins on January 24th.

The special election in Senate District 61; Blakeman’s financial management of Nassau County; Langworthy back on TV; the Granville story just keeps on coming

3 months ago 0 0 0 0
Will it be Blakeman versus Hochul for governor in 2026? Tonight’s headlines: Stefanik drops out of the race for governor; will leave Congress I originally published this post on July 29, 2025. The post concludes with a brief review of Blakeman’s record as Nassau County Executive. Funny how things work out sometimes. We now have less than 100 days to go until Election Day 2025. Mayoral races are featured in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and New York City.

Will it be Blakeman versus Hochul for governor in 2026?

4 months ago 0 1 0 0
How one version of AI sees the 2026 race for governor of New York As we near the calendar flipping to 2026 a great deal of political attention will be focusing on the race for governor of New York.  There are potential primaries on the horizon for the Democrats and the Republicans, but party leaders expect when all is said and done that the November election ballot will present voters with a contest between Kathy Hochul and Elise Stefanik.

How one version of AI sees the 2026 race for governor of New York

4 months ago 0 0 0 1
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The Stefanik Story Starring Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Special guest appearances by Donald J. Trump and Mike Johnson. Cameos: Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace, and Anna Luna. Make some popcorn and enjoy the show. The story begins with Ms. Stefanik as a young woman, the daughter of a wealthy family. As such she is admitted to, attends, and graduates from top-of-the-line Harvard University.

The Stefanik Story

4 months ago 2 1 0 1
They held an election but few came; final 2025 campaign financials Decembers are usually a quiet period in local politics. But quiet does not mean that nothing important is happening. Buffalo Mayor-Elect Sean Ryan’s Transition Committee is actively engaged in recruiting his City Hall Team. This will be first transformation of the management of city government in twenty years and there is much work to be done. By City Charter the Mayor must submit his proposed 2026-2027 budget to the Common Council by April 8, which is 100 days after he takes office.

They held an election but few came; final 2025 campaign financials

4 months ago 0 1 0 0
Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets Thanksgiving preparations are underway, the 2026 elections are shifting into gear, and the Bills are wondering if they might not make the playoffs. Here are some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets: There seems to be some problems in MAGAland. Affordability and the cost of groceries, inflation, rising medical and other insurance costs, threats to SNAP coverage, etc. And lest we forget: the Epstein files – what will actually be released?

Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets

4 months ago 1 1 0 0
2026 is going to be a very interesting year in New York State politics Except for a race or two here and there that is still too close to call, the 2025 elections will soon be certified. On to some very serious and important politicking in New York State. All four statewide offices – governor, lt. governor, attorney general and comptroller – will be on the ballot. For the first time in recent memory, candidates for governor and lt.

2026 is going to be a very interesting year in New York State politics

5 months ago 1 0 0 0
As Cheektowaga goes, so goes the nation The headline of this post is an old saw that at least anecdotally is truer than not. How the Town of Cheektowaga votes often lays out a pattern that is duplicated countywide, statewide, and nationally. Here are just some recent examples: 2020 – Joe Biden carries the town 54-46 percent over Donald Trump. 2022 – Kathy Hochul wins the town 51-49 percent over Lee Zeldin.

As Cheektowaga goes, so goes the nation

5 months ago 2 1 1 0
Democrats win big on Election Day 2025 Sometimes election nights can be long and suspenseful. It was not that way last night. Democrats won big in Erie County. Following up on his big win in the June Democratic primary, State Senator Sean Ryan coasted to a landslide victory in his campaign for mayor of Buffalo. Here are the numbers: Ryan (Democrat, Working Families): 29,838 votes; 72 percent of the total turnout…

Democrats win big on Election Day 2025

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Final pre-Election Day financials; some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets One week to go in a relatively quite election season. And with the new state law moving most odd-year elections to even-numbered years this is sort of the end of a long tradition. The major local race on the ballot this year is for mayor of Buffalo. All three candidates – Democratic and Working Families candidate Sean Ryan; Republican and Conservative candidate James Gardner; and independent candidate Michael Gainer – have by all reports been working hard speaking with voters.

Final pre-Election Day financials; some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets

5 months ago 1 0 0 0
Kennedy outraises Langworthy, Tenney, Schumer, Gillibrand; the Bills at the bye week The government may be shut down but Western New York’s representatives in Congress have been busy raising money for their campaign treasuries. Federal Election Commission financial reports were released on October 15th. Leading WNY House members and the senators in the most recent quarterly reports is Representative Tim Kennedy. In the quarter ending September 30th Kennedy raised $359,781. That amount exceeds the quarterly take for Representatives Nick Langworthy and Claudia Tenney as well as Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristin Gillibrand.

Kennedy outraises Langworthy, Tenney, Schumer, Gillibrand; the Bills at the bye week

6 months ago 0 0 0 0
Getting ahead of the impending damage from federal service cuts affecting New Yorkers Today’s post is written by Politics and Other Stuff editor Paul Fisk The MAGA wrecking ball approach to governance is inflicting incalculable harm on our nation, with more of it cynically timed to not take full effect until after the 2026 election. Blue states like New York are being hit particularly hard. Already enacted federal actions will dramatically increase health care costs and could eliminate insurance for 1.5 million New Yorkers.

Getting ahead of the impending damage from federal service cuts affecting New Yorkers

Today’s post is written by Politics and Other Stuff editor Paul Fisk The MAGA wrecking ball approach to governance is inflicting incalculable harm on our nation, with more of it cynically timed to not take full…

6 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Campaign financials focus on the race for mayor of Buffalo We are down to the last four weeks of election 2025. Candidates for office this November 4th were required to file financial reports with the state Board of Elections on October 3rd. Here are the highlights (R = Raised; S = Spent; C = Cash on hand): Mayor of Buffalo Democratic and Working Families candidate Sean Ryan: R- $183,306; S - $146,584; C - $60,201…

Campaign financials focus on the race for mayor of Buffalo

We are down to the last four weeks of election 2025. Candidates for office this November 4th were required to file financial reports with the state Board of Elections on October 3rd. Here are the highlights (R = Raised; S = Spent; C = Cash…

6 months ago 0 0 0 0
Is the Kensington project at the end of the road? Sometimes, with the best of intentions, and some significant support, and some money to complete a project, nothing happens. Think about a parallel bridge to the Peace Bridge in days gone by. Think about the Kensington project. The Kensington project, circa 21st century, had its origins more than 60 years ago when, with a very busy downtown and the outmigration of Buffalonians, it was determined that a quick route was needed to move traffic towards and out of downtown Buffalo.

Is the Kensington project at the end of the road?

Sometimes, with the best of intentions, and some significant support, and some money to complete a project, nothing happens. Think about a parallel bridge to the Peace Bridge in days gone by. Think about the Kensington project. The Kensington…

6 months ago 1 0 0 0
On the media:  a diminished presence; taking a knee As a participant and observer of government and politics my whole adult life I have worked with, fought with, and enjoyed the company of folks who are collectively called journalists. They work for newspapers, television, and radio. There are fewer of them now and their role has been changing significantly. At the beginning of my working life I was employed at the Erie County Legislature.

On the media:  a diminished presence; taking a knee

As a participant and observer of government and politics my whole adult life I have worked with, fought with, and enjoyed the company of folks who are collectively called journalists. They work for newspapers, television, and radio. There are…

7 months ago 1 1 0 0
The next senator from the 61st district Election Day 2025 is just seven weeks away. As election seasons go political activity in Western New York has been relatively quiet. There are several judgeships on the ballot but pay no attention – they are all uncontested. There are elections for Erie County Sheriff and Erie County Comptroller. There is no ballot alternative for incumbent Sheriff John Garcia. Incumbent County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick has done a good job.

The next senator from the 61st district

Election Day 2025 is just seven weeks away. As election seasons go political activity in Western New York has been relatively quiet. There are several judgeships on the ballot but pay no attention – they are all uncontested. There are elections for Erie…

7 months ago 0 0 0 0
Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets The Bills lead the entire Eastern Division. WHAT A WIN OVER THE BALTIMORE RAVENS! Here are some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets: After falling out of sight for several days, Donald Trump emerged from his shelter and predicted 40 more months of chaos. Like Communist China, the Trump administration is beginning the process of taking a financial interest in private companies, starting with the American technology company Intel.

Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets

The Bills lead the entire Eastern Division. WHAT A WIN OVER THE BALTIMORE RAVENS! Here are some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets: After falling out of sight for several days, Donald Trump emerged from his shelter and predicted 40 more…

7 months ago 1 0 1 0
This is the year for the Bills! … Please! It has been nice to have the Buffalo Bills riding high the past several years. Sure there has been no Super Bowl appearance but the seasons have been exciting with two AFC championship games. The ultimate prize has remained just out a reach. There have been no “wide rights” but the league has changed the rules a couple times after the Bills’ season ending losses: one providing for both teams to have possession in overtime, and the other to add precision to the spot of the ball.

This is the year for the Bills! … Please!

It has been nice to have the Buffalo Bills riding high the past several years. Sure there has been no Super Bowl appearance but the seasons have been exciting with two AFC championship games. The ultimate prize has remained just out a reach. There have…

7 months ago 0 0 0 0
The Diocese of Buffalo’s parish assessments are not the road to renewal The protracted efforts of the Diocese of Buffalo to merge and close parishes while simultaneously assessing the parishes to raise money for the settlement of abuse claims are running on parallel tracks. Neither of those tracks, however, is a road to renewal. The mergers and closing, the Diocese has said, are a necessity created by lower attendance at religious activities as well as the shrinking number of priests who are available to say mass.

The Diocese of Buffalo’s parish assessments are not the road to renewal

The protracted efforts of the Diocese of Buffalo to merge and close parishes while simultaneously assessing the parishes to raise money for the settlement of abuse claims are running on parallel tracks. Neither of those…

7 months ago 0 0 0 0
Proposed state legislation would create a new state Judicial District and assign current WNY Justices to the 8th or 15th Districts;  a financial tale of two cities; more issues with public campaign financing State legislation approved in June would create a new 15th Judicial District in Western New York while assigning state Supreme Court Justices to either the existing 8th Judicial District or the newly established Judicial District. The legislation has not yet been sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for her consideration. The new law provides that the 8th Judicial District will only include Erie County.

Proposed state legislation would create a new state Judicial District and assign current WNY Justices to the 8th or 15th Districts;  a financial tale of two cities; more issues with public campaign financing

State legislation approved in June would create a new 15th Judicial District in Western…

8 months ago 0 0 0 0
Buffalo’s fiscal problems keep on coming The City of Buffalo is just over a month into the new fiscal year. Already there is some not totally unexpected bad news coming from City Hall. Geoff Kelly of Investigative Post reported last week on overtime spending for the Police Department ( The article noted that July PD overtime exceeded what was spent in July 2024. Several months ago acting Mayor Chris Scanlon’s administration said that they were taking steps to bring down the use of overtime.

Buffalo’s fiscal problems keep on coming

The City of Buffalo is just over a month into the new fiscal year. Already there is some not totally unexpected bad news coming from City Hall. Geoff Kelly of Investigative Post reported last week on overtime spending for the Police Department ( The article…

8 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Some state legislative candidates who participated in the public financing program are gaming the system The State of New York in 2020 enacted a program to provide state taxpayer matching funds for certain donations to statewide and legislative candidates. The general purpose was to “level the playing field” by helping new or low resource candidates to compete with incumbents and well-funded opponents. The program became operational in 2024. A total of 285 legislative candidates originally signed up to participate.

Some state legislative candidates who participated in the public financing program are gaming the system

The State of New York in 2020 enacted a program to provide state taxpayer matching funds for certain donations to statewide and legislative candidates. The general purpose was to “level the…

8 months ago 0 0 0 0
Will it be Blakeman versus Hochul for governor in 2026? We now have less than 100 days to go until Election Day 2025. Mayoral races are featured in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and New York City. Locally, dozens of town races are uncontested. The major contest is for supervisor in the Town of Amherst. It is not too early, however, to turn to the statewide offices that will be on the ballot in November 2026.

Will it be Blakeman versus Hochul for governor in 2026?

We now have less than 100 days to go until Election Day 2025. Mayoral races are featured in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and New York City. Locally, dozens of town races are uncontested. The major contest is for supervisor in the…

8 months ago 0 0 0 0
The Granville investigation drags on; Gardner still late to report For several months now local residents have been following a news story about a series of vehicle accidents involving Erie County Sheriff Department’s Chief of Narcotics, D.J. Granville. Kudos to the local TV stations, particularly WGRZ-TV, and Investigative Post and the Buffalo News. The basic information that has been reported is that Sheriff Department Chief Granville on the evening of April 11, 2024, was driving an Erie County-owned pickup truck assigned to him which apparently allowed him take home privileges due to the nature of his work.

The Granville investigation drags on; Gardner still late to report

For several months now local residents have been following a news story about a series of vehicle accidents involving Erie County Sheriff Department’s Chief of Narcotics, D.J. Granville. Kudos to the local TV stations, particularly…

9 months ago 0 0 0 0
Campaign financials at mid-year All political committees in the state, including candidates in the recent primary elections, were required to file their financial reports on July 15th. Here is a summary of some key candidate committees. Money raised since January 11th, or in the case of candidates in a primary this year, since June 9th is indicated as “R”; money spent over the same time frames is indicated as “S”; cash-on-hand as of July 11 is indicated as “C.”

Campaign financials at mid-year

All political committees in the state, including candidates in the recent primary elections, were required to file their financial reports on July 15th. Here is a summary of some key candidate committees. Money raised since January 11th, or in the case of candidates…

9 months ago 0 0 0 0
Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets The heat is on, local politics seem to be on vacation at the moment, and the Bills training camp opens this week. Here are some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets concerning federal, state and local government and politics: The mega-maga legislation is in the books.  Donald Trump and the congressional Republicans are sure clever, having loaded the tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires up front for an almost immediate payoff while reserving the painful cuts in health care, nutrition assistance, education, and other real-life help until after the November 2026 elections. 

Some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets

The heat is on, local politics seem to be on vacation at the moment, and the Bills training camp opens this week. Here are some facts, observations, and heard-on-the-streets concerning federal, state and local government and politics: The…

9 months ago 0 0 0 0