By Joyce Kryszak and Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – In the politically charged race in the 144th Assembly District, the incumbent emerged as the winner in Tuesday's Democratic primary. But it was close.
Sam Hoyt won by about 800 votes against North District Common Council Member Joe Golombek. It was at times a nasty fight after Hoyt learned that County Executive Joel Giambra donated $20,000 to Golombek's campaign with his Political Action Committee fund. But now Hoyt says he will reach out to Golombek to unite.
"I congratulate him on a spirited race and I want to let him know he's no longer my opponent," Hoyt said. "We are both elected officials serving Buffalo and I want to work with him to improve the quality of life in Black-Riverside and throughout the city of Buffalo."
Golombek says he has no apologies for challgening Hoyt. He defended the money he received from Giambra's PAC fund.
"My opponent has been in Albany for 12 years and he had an opportunity to change the election law," Golombek said. "Anything that happened from our side was all legal. We had names on all the campaign literature and where it came from. If anybody broke the law, it was them (Hoyt campaign) by accepting help from the Democratic party prior to a primary election."
Golombek says he got a late start in his campaign. He jumped in back in early July.
But it's not over yet for Hoyt. He now faces Republican candidate David Penna in the general election.