Alex Simone

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BTPM NPR

State Sen. Jeremy Zellner took to the stage at Britesmith Brewing in Buffalo to thank his supporters and his family.

He has led the Erie County Democratic Committee since 2012, but after Sean Ryan vacated the 61st State Senate seat after election to Buffalo mayor, Zellner secured his committee's endorsement for a victorious February special election.

That monthslong tenure in the state senate, appears to be ending in January, following tonight's Democratic primary loss to Assemblymember Jon Rivera.

"It's all about producing for the community, and that you want to represent. So, again, I know this isn't the outcome, and I am very appreciative," Zellner said in his concession speech. "You have no idea of what it means to have people go knock on doors like my cousin Kurt did for 8-10 hours just this weekend. People taking time away from their jobs to go stand at polling places today.

"This is real work. You know what's not real work? Social media saying horrible, ugly things that gets everybody riled up on social media is not real work. I left my family for four days a week for four months. It was otherworldly, but they bore a big brunt here of service, but I think they learned a lesson that their dad took a chance. That it is worthy to take a chance to get in that arena, and I want them to learn that lesson. That it's better not to just sit back on your device and criticize, get in that arena and go fight for what you believe in. That's what we did. I'm proud to have done it," Zellner said.

The early voting and primary day results showed Rivera the victor, 54%-45% with more than 18,300 votes cast.

Aaron Gies

Professor Aaron Gies appears to be the winner of tonight's Democratic primary for New York's 23rd Congressional District.

He beat Kenmore attorney Kevin Stocker, who has run for various elected offices unsuccessfully over the years.

NBC News has called the race in favor of Gies at 71%-29%.

Gies will now head to November's general election as the Democrat against Rep. Nick Langworthy.

Langworthy, the former chair of the New York Republican Party, has served in the position since 2023.

The district composes portions of southern Erie County and much of the Southern Tier.

Cook Partisan Voting Index rates NY-23 Republican +10, signifying a stronghold for the GOP.

NYS

State Sen. Jeremy Zellner's tenure in Albany appears to be over.

Nearly all voting precincts have reported in, and Jon Rivera sits with a comfortable 9% lead over Zellner.

Zellner is the Erie County Democratic Committee chairman, and won a February special election to fill the 61st District seat when it was vacated by now-Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan.

BTPM NPR's I'Jaz Ja'ciel reports supporters of Rivera are in a celebratory state, and awaiting their candidate to make his victory speech.

I'Jaz Jaciel

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BTPM NPR

Alex Simone

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BTPM NPR

Karen Hoak came up short against attorney Adam Bojak in the Democratic primary election for New York's 149th Assembly District.

It spans much of Buffalo's West Side and expands south into Hamburg and Lake View.

She spoke to supporters at the Erie County Democratic Committee's viewing party at Britesmith Brewing in Buffalo.

As part of the speech, she thanked her supporters, and said "voters of the 149th won," with a pledge to work together and support Bojak.

"Tonight did not go the way that I hoped that it would, but I stand here before you, incredibly grateful to have been your candidate. This race has taught me so much about who we are as Western New Yorkers and who our voters are," Hoak said in her concession speech. "We had three candidates who worked very hard to win this race. Many people commented how similar our platforms were, and so tonight I can say that the voters of the 149th won.

"I called Adam Bojak just a short while ago to congratulate him on his win for a campaign that I know he fought really hard to win, and a message that resonated with voters. I am ready to move forward and to work together as Democrats. I think it's so important that we work together to make sure that we're accomplishing the things that voters have been saying to us all season long."

Hoak garnered around 33% of the vote, while Kevin Deese trailed in third with 17%.

I'Jaz Jaciel

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BTPM NPR

Adam Bojak released the following statement after declaring victory in the 149th New York State Assembly Democratic primary race.

"Tonight's victory affirms that working people across New York State are ready for universal solutions to housing, healthcare, childcare and more," said Bojak. "We're building a broad coalition, and together we will fight back against fascism and corporate greed as we look ahead to November. I am deeply grateful to each and every person who has supported our campaign, and I look forward to continuing to earn the opportunity to be your next Assembly Member in the 149th District."

Bojak captured nearly 50% of the vote in the Democratic primary. The next closest opponent was Karen Hoak, the endorsed candidate of the Erie County Democratic Committee.

Hoak previously served as a town board member in Hamburg, and worked for Erie County's Highway Department.

There were just under 8,000 ballots cast between early voting and primary day voting, according to the Erie County Board of Elections.

A tenants' rights attorney, Bojak ran with the endorsement of the current Assembly seat holder Jon Rivera.

Bojak now heads to November's general election to face another Hamburg politician, Republican town councilman Frank Bogulski.

While the 149th Assembly vote is all but in, there is double the amount of precincts for State Senate. Rivera is growing his lead on Zellner, who had a slight edge during initial early voting results.

Nearly 33% of the votes remain outstanding in the 61st State Senate Democratic primary race.

Adam Bojak and his supporters are beginning to celebrate as mathematically his chief opponent Karen Hoak does not have enough of the vote left to pull ahead.

Bojak speaks with our I'Jaz Ja'ciel as he claims victory in the race to succeed Jon Rivera in the Assembly.

Karen Hoak is a Hamburg Town Councilmember and is the Democratic committee's endorsed candidate in the race. But Bojak, who gained the endorsement of Assemblymember Jon Rivera to be his successor, is continuing his rise in the results tonight.

Another half of the voting precincts still need to report in with results.

Election Districts Reporting: 42 of 487

As another 18 voting precincts report in at 9:36 p.m., Rivera has pulled ahead of Zellner by less than 100 votes. About 75% of precincts still need to report in.

Following polls closing at 9 p.m., the Erie County Board of Elections has released results from the preceding early voting period and 10 primary day voting locations.

It shows Zellner with a slight lead over Rivera in the 61st State Senate Democratic primary.

ZELLNER - 50.69% - 3,225
RIVERA - 49.2% - 3,131