Last minute political observations

If you can vote for Sean Mapp or Nate McMurray you should do so. Read on and I will explain my reasoning.

Some of the races for Niagara County Legislature, as well as state offices have been chaotic and fraught with nastiness, especially Mapp v. Jeff Elder for the 4th District.

I haven’t weighed in because who you vote for is your business.

There is, however, a common theme – the majorities in Albany and Lockport are unlikely to change and the party in power gets a seat at the table.

We don’t have a real vote for the federal races. Rep. Tim Kennedy, a Democrat, is likely to be part of the new majority. His opponent, Dennis Hannon seemed underfinanced and out of the forefront.

I have issues with Kennedy the same way I had issued with his predecessor, Brian Higgins. Both exist to serve Buffalo, not the Niagara Region. My belief is the sooner we recognize our region as a suburb of Toronto, the better off we will be. Buffalo is our weak little sister but it gets all the love from Albany and Washington because no one speaks up for the Wonder of the World.

Reality is Bruce Blakeman never stood a chance even if he takes Erie and Niagara counties. Gov. Kathy Hochul will win and the Dems will hold the Senate and Assembly.

Becky Wydysh will be a less-experienced version of Angelo Morinello, a nice person who gets some things done behind the scene but lacks the real clout for big ideas.

McMurray, whether you like him or not, will be brash, demanding and sincere in saying we need to do more for Niagara Falls. He may be a jerk but he is our jerk.

As for the legislature, as strong as Mayor Austin Tylec’s coattails are, they aren’t enough to tilt the County Legislature majority to the Democrats.

Again, Mapp, no matter how you feel about him, will be an in-your-face leader, questioning things and leading from the front. He may not make a huge difference in what the county spends in the 4th District but he will call attention to things and ruffle feathers.

Elder is a nice guy but no one survives 12 years on Air Force One without knowing how important it is to never break decorum. 

This is not an endorsement of Mapp or McMurray but an acknowledgement of political reality.

As for the other Legislative races in the Falls, Johnnie Parks is a nice guy with a rep as a coach and community leader. Rus Petrozzi is the same thing but a Republican. Follow the money and it follows the majority.

Ditto Chris McKimmie, whose 6th District seat is challenged by Matt Chavez. Chavez may have a bright political future. McKimmie may have aspirations for higher office. Both would be well served.

The race that stinks a little, OK a lot, is Democrat Doug Mooradian against Jesse Gooch in the 7th District.

The Republican Gooch slid into that seat as a connected Wheatfield Republican but has floundered, from his failure to accept defeat over the Rapids Theatre to unseemly, and unrefuted accusations of tax-fraud and worse from his ex.

Republican or not, it’s hard for me to see any community better off when a person of Gooch’s standing is in office.