Latest news with #ErieCountyDemocraticParty
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Winarski fends off challengers to stay on Erie County Council; Wertz, Bayle get party nods
Erie County Councilman Jim Winarski, a Democrat whose tendency to align with Republicans has led to party criticism, staved off an array of Democratic challengers in the May 20 municipal primary election. Winarski, who's seeking his second, four-year term on council's 4th District seat, defeated Democratic opponents Michael Keys, Marcus Jacobs, Carl Anderson and Kevin Pastewka. By 11:25 p.m., Winarski received 1,218 votes, or 28.71% of a total 4,243 votes. Keys received 1,044 votes; Jacobs received 681 votes; Carl Anderson received 654 votes; and Pastewka received 637 votes; according to final unofficial vote totals the Erie County Elections and Voter Registration Office. No Republican ran for the seat in the May 20 primary. Winarski, 62, has frequently compromised his party's 5-2 veto-proof majority on council by siding and voting with his Republican colleagues. Democratic pushback culminated with the Erie County Democratic Party censuring Winarski in January 2023. Winarski told the Erie Times-News at the time that he doesn't make decisions based on politics. "It isn't about a 'D' or an 'R' with me," he said. "At no point whatsoever do any of my votes come down to siding with one party or the other. It's deciding what I honestly believe is the best for Erie and Erie County." The 4th District comprises much of Southeast Erie, in addition to Wesleyville Borough and portions of Millcreek. In the 2nd District, Democrat Jim Wertz handily defeated James DePalma for the Democratic nomination, receiving 2,596 votes over DePalma's 757 votes, final unofficial vote totals showed. Wertz, 46, previously served as chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party and most recently ran an unsuccessful campaign for the 49th District Pennsylvania Senate seat. He will face Republican Renee Vendetti ― who ran unopposed in Tuesday's municipal primary election ― in the November general election. More: Review live coverage from the May 20 Erie County municipal primary The 2nd District runs east from the Millcreek Township line across the city's bayfront to the Harborcreek Township line. The district includes all of Erie's first ward, parts of the second, third and fourth wards and Lawrence Park Township. The seat has been held by Democrat Andre Horton, who's serving his third term and is term-limited. In the 6th District, incumbent Republican Charlie Bayle defeated Republican Scott Rastetter, receiving 1,702 votes over Rastetter's 1,146 votes, final unofficial vote totals showed. No Democrat ran for the seat in the May 20 primary. The 6th District encompasses several municipalities across the southern and eastern reaches of Erie County. A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@ Follow him on X @ETNRao. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County Council primary: Winarski, Wertz and Bayle win party nods
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘It's time for new leadership' – Local Dems respond to Daria Devlin's mayoral endorsement
The Erie County Democratic Party voted to endorse Daria Devlin for the position of Erie mayor, with Devlin receiving 67% of the vote from committee members. 'We are so humbled and honored to have received this endorsement from the Democratic party it was a very long process, a very thorough one, and really a difficult one because I think everybody understands that this is a really important and critical time for Erie,' said Devlin. Erie Co. Democratic Party endorses Daria Devlin for mayor The chairman of the Democratic party said the decision was based on three components that are issues in the city — The current projected deficit in the future, urban blight and general city services. 'When you put all that together, the committee felt that maybe it's time for new leadership,' said Sam Talarico, chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party. Devlin said the endorsement was an opportunity for the committee to say to the voters, 'Let's pay attention, we believe, and we are putting confidence in Daria's leadership.' She recalled how Mayor Joe Schember has served Erie well, but the challenges require a level of leadership that is not being provided by City Hall. The mayor said he is not concerned about the endorsement. Early in-person voting begins for PA primary election 'It doesn't really bother me, to be honest, because we all presented all three of us that are running, and I gave a very heartfelt presentation, and I had actually knew in advance. I had heard that it was probably going to go to her, and that's fine,' said Mayor Schember. Talarico felt Mayor Schember has accomplished much in his two terms. He thinks it's time to pass the torch. 'Things are going on in the party. Even nationally, there's general tendency and attitude that maybe we need to turn the page, look for some new bolder leadership with some new ideas and Daria Devlin really made a compelling case about that,' said Talarico. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie Democratic Party committee members endorse Devlin in mayor's race
The Erie County Democratic Party's city-based committee members voted Sunday to endorse Democrat Daria Devlin for mayor in the May 20th municipal primary. Devlin is seeking to defeat two-term incumbent Joe Schember and another challenger, Sheila Woeger, in the primary. It is rare for the local Democratic Party to make endorsements in the primary. However, several committee members 'thought it was time for a change,' said local Democratic Party Chairman Sam Talarico, who said Devlin won a majority of the votes cast. There are roughly 60 Democratic committee members in the city of Erie and 38 of them voted Sunday, Talarico said. Devlin received 24 endorsement votes; Schember received two votes; and 12 committee members voted against endorsing anyone. Devlin said she was honored to receive the endorsement. 'The party's support is a powerful voice of confidence in this campaign and the future we envision for Erie,' Devlin said. Schember said he respect's the committee's vote. "They can endorse whomever they want," Schember said. "But I feel really good about our campaign and what we've accomplished over the last eight years, even though I'm not taking anything for granted. The feedback I'm getting from voters when I go door-to-door is really good." Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: The race for Erie Mayor: Democratic committee members endorse Devlin
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Congressman John LaFalce dies at 85
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Former Congressman John LaFalce has died at the age of 85, Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner confirmed. A Buffalo native, LaFalce was elected to Congress in 1974 and represented Western New York from 1975-2003. LaFalce represented the 36th Congressional District from 1975-83, the 32nd Congressional District from 1983-93, and the 29th Congressional District from 1993-2003. During his time in office, he was the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and also was a member of the House Small Business Committee. In the 1970s, LaFalce worked closely with President Jimmy Carter regarding the Love Canal environmental disaster. 'In 1978, finally we did pass the superfund bill providing billions of dollars for comprehensive clean-ups for formerly abandoned hazardous waste sites,' LaFalce told WIVB News 4 in December. After retiring, LaFalce donated large sums of money to institutions in Western New York, including Niagara University and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. 'Congressman LaFalce embodied the definition of public service,' Congressman Tim Kennedy said in a statement. 'From his time in the United States Army to his nearly three decades representing our hometown in the House of Representatives, Congressman John LaFalce set an example to which we should all aspire. His tireless work delivered so much to our community, and he was never afraid to take on the toughest of issues. He will be remembered as a man of great faith, conviction, and passion, who was always speaking up for his constituents.' 'Congressman LaFalce will be remembered for all that he did, however, standing up for the residents of Love Canal in the face of environmental catastrophe, and directing the eyes of the world on Western New York, forced a national reckoning with the dangers of industrial pollution, further underscored his fearless leadership.' 'Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come,' Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement. 'He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved. His dedication to public service and passion for helping others knew no bounds. He loved Buffalo and always defended Western New York. He was a good and loyal friend, and I will deeply miss him. My prayers are with his loved ones and Western NY as they mourn this tremendous loss.' *** Mark Ludwiczak joined the News 4 team in 2024. He is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience in Buffalo. You can follow him online at @marklud12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democratic voters take opportunity to get informed at candidate forum
The 2025 primary election is just under two months away, and on Monday evening democratic voters got a start in figuring out who to vote for. 'This is a local race, and these are people that are in our community, and it's important that they interact with the community as much as they can, and of course, this is a great opportunity for them to do so,' said Sam Talarico, event moderator and Erie County Democratic Party chair. Candidates in four different city and council races took the stage during the event — Erie City Council, county council, City of Erie Mayor and the county executive. After introducing themselves, the candidates were randomly asked three different questions and were given two minutes to answer. Several local Republicans kick off campaigns Tuesday night There was a packed room of citizens at the Maennerchor Club looking to get to know who's on the ballot a little better and be an active citizen when it comes to politics. 'You said it right yourself, be an active citizen. You know, we don't get into this thing by ourselves. We cannot do it by ourselves. We're supposed to be a united nation, you know, all together working for a good cause,' said Tim Driscoll, a Harborcreek voter. For voters, the forum was a way to get more informed of all the candidates on the May ballot. And for the candidates, the event was a way to get in front of the community and appeal to those voters. PA senator advocating for open primaries for independents 'It's important because your voting base and your community needs to know who you are and what you stand for, and if you're not willing to face them, then how can you be a good elected official?' said Jasmine Flores, Erie City Council candidate and incumbent. Voters will nominate their candidates in the upcoming primary election on May 20. If you missed Monday night's forum, Erie County United will be hosting a similar event on Saturday, March 29 from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Booker T Washington Center on Holland Street. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
