CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — In this election season, you may have noticed all the TV political ads in the 143rd State Assembly race. 2 On Your Side tried to speak Tuesday with both candidates in a campaign to represent two major Erie County communities.
Just like the campaign television ads, you can't miss the lawn signs in the contested 143rd Assembly District covering Cheektowaga and Lancaster.
State Assemblymember Monica Wallace is on the Democrat and Working Families party lines and has been in office in Albany since 2017. She did not make herself available for an interview with us on Tuesday, so we looked for Wallace's previous 2024 comments to see where she stands on some issues,
Abortion access remains a major concern for Wallace as the lawmaker suggested in May a bill for changes for health care professionals from other states. "Reproductive health care practitioners who are already licensed and in good standing in their state so that they can come here and help address the increased demand of women who are fleeing and pregnant people who are fleeing those states to come here to get adequate care," Wallace said.
Wallace also proposed term limits for some politicians and in August she called for changes in the state law covering parole following convicted Salamanca killer Edward Kindt's escape from supervision. "The legislation went too far and as these parole officers will tell you it has handicapped their ability to enforce compliance with the rules."
And on the controversial migrant issue with their presence in Cheektowaga hotels and children in the Maryvale school district, Wallace said in April "I think the primary issue is it's not a state issue. It's a federal issue and the federal government should be helping states offset those costs"
Patrick Chudlzinski is on the Republican and Conservative lines and is a decorated Iraq War veteran and Cheektowaga Police Detective Lt. On Tuesday, Chludzinski picked up the backing of former Cheektowaga town officials who were Democrats while serving at Town Hall. Former Supervisor Diane Benczcowski and former Councilmember Chrisitine Adamczk endorsed him.
Chludzinski stresses law and order issues.
We asked him specifically about the issue of asylum seekers in Erie County and that knowing that the state of New York is perceived to be a sanctuary state, what could be done.
Cludzinski said, "I believe at the New York state level we need to dis -incentivize migrants from heading to New York state. New York state is one of the more lucrative states for migrants to get to based on New York state policies."
He also claims he can be an effective lawmaker in Albany as a minority party Republican dealing with a state government dominated by Democrats. Chludzinski responded, "I'm able to work with anybody. I'm able to reach across the aisle to support our views...explain our views."
Finally we pointed out that some people may feel that he seems like a single issue candidate. We asked "Law and order, law and order that's all I'm hearing from him. What would you say to those people ?"
He said, "I would say there's so many issues in New York State that are impacting our quality of life here in our community. Law and order seems to be one of the top ones as I've been going out door to door. Most people I talk to are concerned with crime. As I've been going out door to door most people that I talk to are concerned with crime. And accountability and consequences across the area here as far as the rash of retail crime, stolen vehicles. People wanna feel safe in their communities."