General Election set for November 3rd
By Andrew Harris, pictured is Dawn Wildrick-Cole
Both Republicans and Democrats took to the polls yesterday to decide who will represent the respective parties in the general election this November.
For Republicans, the main event was the three-way primary for Allegany County Judge. After a respectable campaign by all three candidates, Republicans have chosen Dawn Wildrick Cole to appear on the November 3 ballot. Dawn is widely considered the most experienced among the candidates, and says she “is a natural progression” to sitting Allegany County Judge Terrence Parker, who retires at the end of 2026. Wildrick-Cole is Judge Parker’s longtime confidential law clerk, and has worked in the Allegany County court system since 2009.
Wildrick-Cole’s 787 votes were followed by 507 votes for candidate Allison Carrow, currently the lead Allegany County Attorney serving the legislature and administration. Finishing third is Gerald Driscoll with 359 votes, Driscoll is currently the confidential law clerk for Allegany County Judge Ian Jones who took office January 1st. 1656 Republicans cast a ballot in the that election.
It is very likely that Wildrick-Cole will run unopposed in the November election.
Read more about Dawn from her interview with our inquiring mind Clayton Hulin here.
In various town races, Republicans gave the thumbs up to, four candidates for Justice: Cal Champlin, Karen Stroud, David M.
Szucs, and Dominic Barone will all appear on the November 3 general election ballot.
Allegany County Democrats cast ballots to choose the nominee for the 23rd Congressional seat, seeking to dislodge sitting Congressman Nick Langworthy from a comfortable position. In Allegany County, Aaron Gies, a St. Bonaventure professor and self described “Teacher, democracy advocate, small town cheerleader,” won the election handily over Erie County Attorney Kevin Stocker. Gies received the full throated support of Allegany County Democrats, winning 88% of the vote. Nearly 1093 Democrats cast a vote in the contest.
Pictured is Gies with leading local Democrats Karen Ash(L) and Patty MacEwan(R)
In the bigger picture, Gies had a big victory over the Buffalo area attorney with strong political connections. As of this reporting, the Buffalo News headline read: Gies easily beats Stocker in Democratic primary for 23rd congressional district.
Democrats also had the choice to put longtime NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli back on the ballot in November against two contenders. DiNapoli has enjoyed a strong reputation as an effective leader of a powerful state office. Allegany County Democrats gave DiNapoli a strong 75% of the vote.
Voters chose Lance Tronetti for town council seat, receiving 65% of the vote.
