Joan Seamans announces bid to unseat Ranzenhofer in 61st district

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.

She is calling for unity in her challenge to five-term State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer.  Despite being a member of the Senate majority for more than ten years, Ranzenhofer has little to show for his tenure and has sponsored few pieces of legislation.  He’s long been criticized for focusing so heavily on his personal law practice, from which he derives most of his income.

Seamans doesn’t like the use of political labels, and wants to bring together voters from both parties this November.

Her announcement speech was packed with policy positions.  Among her priorities is addressing the opioid crisis; supporting more drug courts, allowing for medical marijuana to wane addicts from heroin addictions, and to provide resources to expand bed capacity at drug treatment programs.

Seamans wants to help pass the Child Victims Act, and laments that the Senate’s Republican leadership has served as a roadblock.

“Early voting pro-woman and pro-worker, and — again — the Republican leadership won’t let it come up for a vote,” she said.

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