May 2018 – The Buffalo Chronicle

Trichter’s leftist views shock GOP, as Cox takes heat for a weak ticket

May 19, 2018

New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox isn’t shy about recruiting Democrats to run for public office — a practice that often draws criticism from the party faithful before the candidate fades away from the political scene — observers

Republicans want Chairman’s outside income investigated by prosecutors

May 18, 2018

It is no secret among local political operatives that Erie County Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy has been accepting ‘outside income’ that his critics say “profoundly corrupts the Republican nominating process, seemingly constituting honest services fraud.” The activists want Langworthy’s

Coppola’s absence in 60th district makes Democrat primary wide open

May 15, 2018

Former State Senator Alfred T. Coppola‘s presence in the politics of the 60th State Senate district has been perpetually felt since he left office in 2000, following an election loss engineered by the political operative G. Steven Pigeon that installed

Rumors percolating that Anderson may primary Ranzenhofer in 61st district

May 14, 2018

It’s being rumored among politicos that Senator Mike Ranzenhofer, an unaccomplished backbencher who has held his seat since Mary Lou Rath retired in 2008, may face a primary challenge this cycle. Ranzenholfer has had difficulty articulating a rationale for reelection, without

Local Republicans scoff at Langworthy’s ambitions on State Chairmanship

May 13, 2018

Erie County Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy has long aspired to succeed Ed Cox as the Chairman of the state organization. But some local Republicans scoff at the idea, following the embarrassing loss of Erin Baker, Langworthy’s longtime girlfriend and

Silver convicted on all counts — again

May 11, 2018

Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, 74, was found guilty Friday of receiving more than $4 million in kickbacks — a sound affirmation of a 2015 conviction that had been overturned on appeal. The jury found him guilty on all seven

Heastie allows primary for AG, following Cuomo pushback against Bharara

May 11, 2018

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie had been on the verge of appointing former United States Attorney Preet Bharara as the State’s next Attorney General. But pressure from Governor Andrew Cuomo has thwarted that nomination, in favor of Cuomo’s desire to retain

Party loyalists have become deeply skeptical of Zellner, following missteps

May 9, 2018

It hasn’t been a good year for Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner, who has lost the confidence of dozens of the party’s most loyal officials in a succession of political missteps that have called into question his judgement

Heastie may appoint Bharara next Attorney General, in a deft political move

May 9, 2018

The New York State Attorney General’s office is vacant following the resignation of Eric Schneiderman amid accusations of aggressive sexual behavior from four women. The appointment to fill that vacancy will be determined by a joint ballot of both chambers

Giambra outlines Marijuana Infrastructure Plan at Cannabis Parade

May 6, 2018

Joel Giambra, Reform Party candidate for Governor, outlined his “Marijuana Infrastructure Plan” at the Cannabis Parade in Manhattan on Saturday. Giambra has pledged to end New York’s marijuana prohibition. A statewide cannabis excise tax of 13%, permits and licensing fees, along

Molinaro having second thoughts ahead of Republican convention

May 6, 2018

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro is having second thoughts about running for Governor, sources close to the candidate suggest. Molinaro was expected to be the Republican nominee, following the suspension of Senator John DeFrancisco’s campaign early last month. Molinaro is

Joan Seamans announces bid to unseat Ranzenhofer in 61st district

May 6, 2018

Joan Seamans, a business owner and former Williamsville Village Trustee, announced her candidacy this Saturday at the VFW Hall on Spring Street. Seamans is a successful photographer, operating her Main Street studio for many years in the Village’s historic district.

Tea Party wants Trump to demand NAFTA access to Canadian banking markets

May 5, 2018

One of New York State’s most aggressive Tea Party organizers is calling on President Donald J. Trump to end the North American Free Trade Agreement ahead of midterm elections later this year. Matthew Ricchiazzi, the Buffalo-area political activist and publisher, argues

Giambra will ‘phase-out’ rent control laws to solve NYC housing shortage

May 3, 2018

Plan will make market rents more affordable, introduce a Renters’ Tax Credit Gubernatorial contender Joel Giambra, the former two-term Erie County Executive, is pledging to end New York City’s decades-long housing crisis – promising to make the City more affordable

New poll: Cynthia Nixon may accidentally destroy New York’s Republican Party

May 2, 2018

A new poll in the New York gubernatorial contest, conducted by Quinnipiac University, puts incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo at 40% in a three way general election scenario, with Republican nominee Marc Molinaro earning 23%, and Working Families’ nominee Cynthia Nixon

Giambra will march in NYC’s Cannabis Parade on Saturday

May 2, 2018

It was back in January in frigid Buffalo that former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra called for the “toughest, tightest regulated” legalized marijuana bill in the United States as a way to raise billions of dollars in tax revenue to