© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Morgan seeking a win for Democrats in the 57th Senate District

Jay Moran/WBFO

Fresh from graduating from Cornell University this year, Austin Morgan earned the Democratic Party nod in the race for the vacant seat in the 57th Senate District. The native of the Cattaraugus County town of Freedom says he got into the race to help "those little towns that have been voiceless for too long."

The young Democrat faces a difficult road to victory over his Republican opponent, Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello.

According to Frank Puglisi, the Democratic Party Chairman for Cattaraugus County, there are 4,000 more Republicans than Democrats in the county. He says that disparity can be found throughout the rest of the massive district which also covers all of Allegany and Chautauqua Counties and part of Livingston County. Of the 17 seats in the Cattaraugus County Legislature, only five are held by Democrats.

Puglisi holds out hope the nearly 20 percent of district voters who are unaffiliated with either major party choose his candidate. He also says county Democrats have been energized by recent troubles involving local Republicans.

Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

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.