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McCarthy reflects on 'dismal' voter turnout

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With 68 percent of the vote, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown easily won the Democratic Primary against Bernie Tolbert. But, as Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy points out, only 20 percent of voters cast their ballots on Primary Day.

According to McCarthy, Republican challenger Sergio Rodriguez was quick to offer his spin on the poor turnout, saying that it showed a lack of enthusiasm for both candidates.

That was one of the many issues McCarthy discussed during Morning Edition on WBFO.

Barbara Miller-Williams held a 20-vote lead over incumbent Tim Hogues in the Democratic Primary in the First Erie County Legislative District. Miller-Williams, McCarthy believes, enjoyed a boost from Mayor Brown in the tight race.

McCarthy gave credit to the effort of Mayoral challenger Bernie Tolbert, noting his impressive professional background. But he thinks the "timing wasn't right" for Tolbert as Buffalo's current construction surge has fortified Brown's effort for a third term in office.

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Jay joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2008 and has been local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" ever since. In June, 2022, he was named one of the co-hosts of WBFO's "Buffalo, What's Next."

A graduate of St. Mary's of the Lake School, St. Francis High School and Buffalo State College, Jay has worked most of his professional career in Buffalo. Outside of public media, he continues in longstanding roles as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and as play-by-play voice of Canisius College basketball.