By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-985867.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Primary elections are being held across New York Tuesday.
Here in Western New York, there's also a special election for the 144th Assembly district seat that was held by Democrat Sam Hoyt. He resigned over the summer after accepting a development post in the Cuomo administration.
The two major party candidates are Democrat Sean Ryan and Republican Sean Kipp. Ryan says it's always been his goal to enter public service.
"Many times, I wished I had a larger impact on the state," Ryan said. "When this opened, it became clear that this would be a continuation of my community service."
Kipp is touting his business experience in his campaign.
"I would take my skills as a business person to Albany and apply them to make changes that we desperately need," Kipp said.
There is a third candidate in this race, the Green Party's Gregory Horn.
"My focus has to be on the Buffalo public schools, which is such a problem," Horn said.
In some of the higher profile primary elections, several Democratic members of the Buffalo Common Council face intra-party challenges. There's a spirited contest for town supervisor in West Seneca. And there's a mayoral primary in Lackawanna.
Polls in Erie County are now open. Voting in other counties begins at 12noon. All polls close tonight at 9pm.