The presidential campaign trail will find its way into the Empire State in just over a month. But some are already anticipating local campaign stops, especially one by the Republican primary front-runner.
While no plans have been firmed up, one vocal supporter of Donald Trump anticipated that the candidate's campaign managers will soon set their eyes on campaigning in New York. Real estate developer and Buffalo School Board member Carl Paladino told WBFO that the Trump campaign will have access to about 2,000 square feet of space within the Ellicott Square Building in downtown Buffalo for setting up phone banks and conducting other campaign activity.
"They're really running by the seat of their pants," said Paladino, noting that Trump and the other candidates have other states to win before New York's April 19 primary. "They have the central headquarters plan our New York State effort. Now that we have everybody's attention, I expect that in the next week to 10 days we'll have that New York effort put together."
Also endorsing Trump is Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy, who told WBFO the only campaign he has spoken with is that of Trump. He said that in most years, the New York Primary is so late in the campaign process that it rarely proves relevant. But this year, with no GOP candidate close to clinching the number of delegates needed for nomination, the Empire State remains in play.
That, Langworthy believes, will generate excitement among Republican voters. When asked about the record turnout of Republican voters in other states, Langworthy expected New York's turnout to be high as well.
"The enthusiasm is all on the Republican side of the aisle," Langworthy said. "You can only point to Donald Trump for the reason that is. He has brought an unconventional outsider's message to this race. I think he's done a very good job bringing a level of enthusiasm that we haven't seen in an awful, awful long time."
On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has had the Erie County Democratic Committee's endorsement for months. Bernie Sanders' local supporters organized a fundraiser in Buffalo earlier this month. Clinton is heavily expected to secure that party's nomination.
All eyes remain on the GOP side, and whether Trump will only pick up steam. Paladino, who openly campaigned for Trump at the New York State Republican Convention earlier this month, admitted that even he didn't necessarily expect Trump would be in his current position a year ago. But he did see the frustration that has driven many voters toward the outspoken billionaire.
"I knew that this anger has been festering for many years among the people, and the frustration over the corruption, the aggravation over the failure of our governments to just provide basic needs of the people," Paladino said.
