By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A bruising primary campaign for Erie County Executive ended in resounding victory Tuesday night for political veteran Jim Keane.
The former deputy county executive won the Democratic nomination with more than 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race. West Seneca Supervisor Paul Clark and former Buffalo Mayor Jimmy Griffin nearly split the remaining votes.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Joyce Kryszak's report from Keane headquarters and Mark Scott's story on Paul Clark now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.
In other results from Tuesday's primaries, all incumbent Buffalo Common Council members who faced challenges won. In the race for the vacant Niagara District seat, Buffalo police officer David Rivera defeated Peter Savage, the third, who ran with Mayor Brown's support.
It appears that one incumbent Erie County legislator lost her re-election bid. Ninth District Legislator Cynthia Locklear lost to the man she defeated two years ago, Timothy Wroblewski. Legislature Chair Lynn Marinelli held off a Democratic party challenge from Joel Feroleto, winning by a margin of 60 to 40 percent. In the 15th district, Republican Edward Rath won his party's primary to fill a vacant seat.
In the Democratic primary for Erie County Court Judge, incumbent Tim Franczyk easily defeated James McLeod and Molly Mussara.
In the town of Amherst, Bill Kindel's future as a town board member may be in doubt. He lost a Republican primary to Barry Weinstein, Roy Wixson and Guy Marlette. But Kindel did win a minor party line, which does assure him a spot on the November ballot.
In the race to succeed Paul Clark as West Seneca Town Supervisor, Wallace Piotrowski won the Democratic primary over Chris Bove.
In Niagara Falls, Paul Dyster won the Democratic primary for mayor over endorsed candidate Lewis Rotella.