By Eileen Buckley & Bert Gambini
Buffalo, NY – Tuesday marks Primary Day 2010 and many key races are unfolding locally and state-wide. Polls show Rick Lazio and Carl Paladino in a virtual dead-heat for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Lazio tells WBFO News he is not worried about the numbers.
Carl Paladino has continued to campaign as a republican and conservative with a website promoting reform.
Paladino is the first candidate for Governor from Erie County since 1946. Political observers say who ever gets greater turnout in their strongholds could emerge the victor. Paladino strength is upstate, while Lazio's support is more focused in downstate regions.
The winner of the Republican primary will face off against the endorsed democrat Andrew Cuomo in November. Democratic Party Chairman Len Lenihan believes Paladino has a good chance of winning.
Many other candidates are facing off in democratic and repubulican primaries Tuesday.
Long time incumbents are facing stiff competition in some state races. In the 58th state senate district, democrat William Stachowski is facing opposition in a three-way primary against opponents Tim Kennedy, Mike Kuzma and Tom Casey. That winner will take on republican challenger Jack Quinn Jr.
Stachowski is under tough criticism for the budget stand-off in Albany this past summer. He has been serving for 28 years in Albany.
In the 59th state senate race, republican candidates are vying to fill the seat held by retiring Senator Dale Volker. Republican candidate James Domagalski is competiting against former Erie County Sheriff and republican Patrick Gallivan, and republican and Tea candidate David DiPietro.
DiPietro is outraged that Carl Paladino endorsed Domagalski. DiPietro claiming he is the Tea party candidate.
"My opponent Jim Domagalski wants the voters to think I am off the ballot so we want to let the voters know I'm still in the game," said DiPetro.
Long-time Assembly member Sam Hoyt is also facing democratic opposition for his seat.
Buffalo Common Council member and democrat Joseph Golombek is facing off in Tuesday's primary against Hoyt.
Opposition against the state candidates are calling for strong reforms in Albany.