Spokesmen for the campaign of Erie County Executive Chris Collins are dismissing the results of a recent poll that shows Collins with only a three point lead over his Democratic challenger, Mark Poloncarz.
The poll, conducted last week by the Siena Research Institute, was based on phone survey responses from likely voters, and the methodology estimates that 25% of voters in the general election will be Buffalo residents.
The Collins campaign believes turnout in the heavily Democratic city will be lower and the poll results are skewed toward Poloncarz.
The Buffalo News and Channel 2 News commissioned the survey.
Rich Horner, Political Director for the New York State Democratic Party, released the following statement regarding the remarks by the Collins campaign on the latest poll:
"Erie County Executive Chris Collins was nowhere to be found this weekend after a Siena College poll showed his race for reelection in a dead heat with Democratic Comptroller Mark Poloncarz. Collins silence is matched only by the voices of Erie residents heard in the poll saying his days as County Executive are numbered. The people of Erie County know that the Chris Collins plan for job creation is the "Collins Friends and Family" plan that enriches his cronies and family but do nothing for Erie citizens. As Collins gives raises to political cronies and raises taxes, he cuts funding for local libraries, day care, parks and health programs for women and children."