WEST SENECA, N.Y. — A special election takes place this Tuesday, April 24 for the New York State Assembly’s 142nd district.
Erie County legislator Patrick Burke and local teacher Erik Bohen are vying for the spot, which was vacated by Michael Kearns when he ran for and won the Erie County Clerk Election.
PATRICK BURKE
Burke is in his third term as a Democratic member of the legislature.
He's running on the Democratic, Working Families, and Reform Party lines with a focus on water quality and getting municipalities funds to improve water infrastructure.
"We've spent millions and millions of dollars building up the waterfront so people can go look at it, but they can't go in it. That’s a problem that I’m going to work toward fixing,” Burke said.
Burke also wants to reform campaign finance laws and better engage voters.
According to his campaign website, if elected, Burke would also work on restoring local control in education, growing the economy, and fighting income inequality.
ERIK BOHEN
Erik Bohen has not held office, and this election is his first time running.
Bohen is a certified Buffalo teacher with a focus on education, an at-home tutor, and a cross country coach.
Much like Mickey Kearns, Bohen is a Democrat running on the Republican line because he hopes to be seen as a moderate and independent voice. Bohen also has the Conservative and Independent party lines.
Bohen has Kearns' endorsement as his replacement.
"Mickey and I have a lot of the same philosophies we are both independent voices, and we're going to listen to the people of this district. That is how I can compare myself with Mickey Kearn,” Bohen said.
Bohen’s main issue is education, and he said he hopes to expand quality programs for students and their families.
According to his campaign website, if elected, Bohen would also aim to improve the local workforce by increasing vocational programs to recent graduates and working with small businesses.
Both candidates have faced small controversies in their campaigns.
Although Bohen is a teacher, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) endorsed Burke. It turns out some in education don't like that Bohen is a lifelong friend of Carl Paladino, the former Buffalo School member and controversial developer.
"The State Teachers Union should stop focusing on Carl Paladino, and they should start focusing on children. That's what we're here for, children, not because of a relationship I have with a certain person in this community...who has done a lot of good,” Bohen said when asked to comment on that. “But Mr. Paladino is not running for this race, Erik Bohen is, and I am the teacher in this race.”
Burke has been criticized by Republicans for being “controlled by special interests” due to mailers that went out to constituents.
One flyer, which happened to be paid for by NYSUT and not Burke, has Burke’s face on it and says “stand together for Westchester Values,” and Western New Yorkers do not like to be confused with downstate.
We asked Burke if he felt that error hurt him.
“I didn't like it,” Burke said. “I don't know if it reflects on me, it wasn't mailer, it wasn't my flyer. Would I have preferred they not do that? Definitely.
There is no primary for this special election, so all constituents of South Buffalo, Lackawanna, West Seneca and Orchard Park can vote on Tuesday.