2001 County elections
County Comptroller
Jeff Swiatek (D), a 34 year old Cheektowaga town councilman, and local lawyer, seems ready to challenge Nancy Naples (R) for County Comptroller. Both candidates are credible, and the race offer voters a chance to choose a "watchdog" comptroller, politically unaligned with the County Executive. Naples, herself, fulfilled this "watchdog" role for six years when Democrat Dennis Gorski was County Executive.
Said Swiatek, "If elected, I would evaluate Mr. Giambra's proposals on their merits, not on the basis of partisanship. If he had a good idea for Erie County, I would support it.... The same would be true for Legislature Chairman Chuck Swanick. My goal would be to be completely independent of partisanship and work strictly for the people."
While Swiatek declined to say that Naples was an overly-partisan Comptroller, Erie County Democratic Chairman Steve Pigeon was not reticent, claiming Naples has not continued "the tradition of non-partisanship" of her predecessors. "She has been very partisan," said Pigeon. "In fact, her husband was Giambra's biggest contributor in the last campaign."
Making the Swaitek/Naples race more complex for voters is the fact that the majority of the legislature currently leans with Democrat Chuck Swanick (D). If Swiatek is elected, it will bring back the days of an opposing party, or "watchdog" comptroller, but, unlike Giambra, Gorski had the advantage of having his party in the majority in the legislature. The larger issue, then, is which party controls the legislature after the next election. Currently, legislators favor Swanick by the slimmest of margins - one vote. 9-8.
This leaves four possibilities for Giambra’’s last two years of his term:
1. He may have it all: a Republican Comptroller (Naples) and, if he wins one or two seats in the legislature –– defacto control of that body.
2. He may have precisely what he has now: a Republican comptroller (Naples) and Swanick with control (slight or otherwise) of the legislature.
3. Crisscross: Swiatek wins, but Giambra takes control of the legislature.
4. Giambra loses big: Swiatek beats Naples, and Swanick keeps control of the legislature.
County Legislature
The key, then, to the way County government will operate during the last two years of Giambra’s term is who has control of the 17 member legislature. As the Buffalo News reported, Giambra will be supporting a number of candidates whom he hopes will cash in on his popularity, and, if elected, will help him take control of the legislature. Giambra, it is said, may invest as much as $150,000 of his own money to support candidates. Three types of candidates therefore, are likely: Democrats, Republicans, and, as Steve Pigeon calls them, members of "the Party of Joel," renamed "Giambracrats" by political pundit, Robert MacCarthy, of the Buffalo News. The "Giambracrats" are Democrats by affiliation, but aligned with the Republican County Executive. Currently, two of the legislatures Democrats are apparent Giambracrats -- Greg Olma and Al Debenedetti, although Debenedetti might deny the appellation: "I am a Democrat, but I am not a yes man or an ass kisser," he said, referring to his refusal to vote with Swanick and other Democrats on certain issues.
Nevertheless, Chairman Pigeon will likely be fielding a candidate against him and Olma, as well as opponents for most incumbent Republicans. Voters should see a number of exciting legislative races in 2001. And, unlike the 1999 election, when all 17 incumbents were reelected, six of them without an opponent in the general election, we expect to see almost everyone facing opposition, and some potentially vulnerable ones facing strong primaries. Expect some incumbents to be defeated in 2001.
At this point in the (pre) election season, however, few candidates profit by declaring. An air of mystery can help a potential candidate, not only in awakening interest, but in enabling the candidate to sense the tenor of the prospective election, do his homework, gather support informally, or withdraw quietly. In addition, reapportionment will not be completed until May - we do not yet know how reapportioned districts will be configured.
However, names are surfacing. Some are just rumors: ECC professor Sue McCartney is being mentioned for a run against Judy Fisher (D) in a Democratic primary. Elmwood businessmen Michael Attardo is also being mentioned. Fisher, unlike some legislators, seems unperturbed by a potential primary. "Giambra ...sponsored a (weak) candidate against me in 1999," she said, "... I just hope they come up with a higher quality of candidate this time. Personally, I like good competition."
Mike Fitzpatiricks (D) has indicated he may retire, but don’t bet on it. Joseph Kelly is planning to run for the 2nd district. And former Buffalo Mayor James Griffin has also been mentioned. When asked, Griffin said "no comment" and hung up on his interlocutor.
Dennis Ward has been named as a potential candidate to take on Bill Pauley, a Republican who usually sides with Democrats (a Swanickican?). Says Pauley, "(Giambra’s allies) are spreading the word that I’’m a Democrat, or that I am obstructing Giambras program for lower taxes and that is completely false."
Rev. Charles Wallace of St. John's Baptist Church has been mentioned as a possible Giambracrat to run against Majority leader Crystal Peoples. George Holt, who may also face a Giambracrat, said Giambra’s candidates in the black community will fare as well as "an ice cube in hell."
Professional boxer, Baby Joe Mesi is rumored to be considering a run against Debenedetti. Cheektowaga Councilman Tom Johnson (D) may be drafted to take on Greg Olma in a 5th district primary. Johnson does not live in the district, but, after reapportionment, he may. Activist Rick Gattone is considering running as a Republican. Olma, embattled by various scandals in the last two years, is considered the most vulnerable legislator.
Another contestable seat is the 13th , vacated this January by Frederick Marshal, who was elected to the State Supreme court. In the current district, there is a 3500 vote plurality of Republicans. Reapportionment may slim that, and, if the Democrat’’s challenger, David Shank, currently Bostons Town Clerk, can secure the Independence and Green lines, as he seems likely to secure the Conservative, the seat may turn Democratic. Republican Stephan MacCarville, appointed to replace Marshall, is also, however, a strong candidate.
County attorney Rachel Gorski, is said to have been prompted by Giambra to consider a run against Ray Dusza in the 8th. Republicans first choice, Cheektowaga councilman, Bill Rogoswki, appears disinterested.
Joe Shiah (R) may also run again, against Swanick.
In spite of the populist advantage that Giambra presents for candidates he supports, because of reapportionment, controlled by Democrats, the weakness of Olma, and others, and the dynamics of party enrollment, race, ethnicity, and other factors, Swanick may come out stronger in 2002, thus paving the way for Swanick versus Giambra for County Executive in 2003.
There is little doubt that the near future of county government will be decided in 2001. It will be our pleasure to report on the real issues, and, hopefully, aid voters to cast their ballots based not on a candidates party, name (but not idea) recognition, ethnicity, or race.
