WBFO's Election Coverage 2018
As results came in on Election Day, and the following morning, WBFO provided Buffalo’s most comprehensive, independent and un-biased radio coverage in the market.
Election coverage leading up to the day ballots were cast went beyond the typical press conferences and political events. As polls opened, WBFO Reporter Nick Lippa provided live updates from polling sites across the region. Morning Host Jay Moran conducted a rural roundtable in the 27th Congressional District where incumbent Chris Collins remained on the ballot despite being under indictment. WBFO Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley spoke with young voters pledging to take part in the democratic system. Intern Ryan Zunner spoke with Native Americans about their perspectives on voting outside their nations. Jay Moran also spoke with Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy each week leading up to the elections for a wider perspective on multiple races and issues in the community.
As the votes came in that evening, WBFO was the only radio station in the market to provide in-studio analysis from both side of the aisle, rather than a less news-intensive, more opinion-driven talk format.
Over the course of 4 hours, reporters Eileen Buckley, Mike Desmond, and Michael Mroziak conducted live interviews from the field with candidates and party chairmen. Host and WBFO News Director Dave Debo delivered polling results, conducted interviews with an analyst in Washington, affiliated reporters in Albany and Corning, and two veteran political strategists giving instant in-studio analysis of state and local races—all the while integrating award-winning national coverage from NPR.
WBFO’s on-air coverage was backed by comprehensive local and national information on WBFO.org and across social media. Infographics offered online audiences an at-a-glance understanding of where key midterm senate races, ballot measures, New York State races, and local results stood with updates in real time. WBFO’s in-studio production team of Avery Schneider, Omar Fetouh, Jonny Moran, Nick Lippa, and Ryan Zunner not only coordinated on-air operations, but coordinated social media coverage as well.
Before the evening was done, WBFO brought listeners live coverage of Congressman Collins’s s remarks after embracing victory, and his challenger’s remarks about not conceding defeat.
The following day featured a recap from each reporter, live interviews with the Bob McCarthy, Congressman Brian Higgins, and Collins challenger Nate McMurray.
While our coverage was wide-ranging and comprehensive, the links included provides an audio highlight concentrated on the Collins-McMurray race, as well as an in-depth list of coverage of the 27th district race from Congressman Collins’ indictment through his election.