Voters are deciding whether to give Chris Collins four more years as Erie County Executive or give Mark Poloncarz a chance to hold the County's reigns until 2016. It's Election Day 2011. And the County Executive's race is the marquee local contest.
WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says both candidates yesterday held a final "get out the vote" effort. On the eve of elections, both candidates were making one last attempt to get their message to the voters. Democrat Poloncarz attended a rally on the steps of City Hall.
"It's fair to say the biggest concern of voters is jobs. The jobs that have been lost on his watch and the jobs that have been lost for decades", said Poloncarz.
"And it's all about jobs. We know it's about jobs. My opponent knows it is about jobs. I am the only one in this race that has ever created jobs," said Collins.
Collins at Graphic Controls downtown Buffalo on his final jobs tour. Collins believes his opponent has served up too much negativity.
"My opponent's campaign has been nothing but lies and distortions, and unfortunately people sometimes will believe that they hear or read. I need them to remember where they were four years ago," said Collins
Poloncarz said the race has been a "tough" one.
"I have not taken any personal pot shots at my opponent. They have called me names, but in the end we basically just talked about the issues. And I think that is important that the public sees the difference between the two of us, and there is a difference between the two of us," said Poloncarz.
Both men received high-profile endorsements. Governor Andrew Cuomo is supporting Poloncarz and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani supports Collins.
The latest poll released over the weekend shows the county executive race is in a dead heat.