Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Will Amherst businessman Dan Gagliardo remain in November's general election for the 61st State Senate District seat?
In the wake of Tuesday's loss to Erie County Democrat Party chairman Jeremy Zellner in a special election to fill the vacant seat, Gagliardo - who had the backing of both of the Republican and Conservative Parties - lost by more than 6,100 votes in the decidedly politically "Blue" district.
"I do need to talk it over with my family, it has been a long year," Gagliardo said in an interview with WBEN.
According to still unofficial Erie County Board of Elections data, Zellner garnered 18,752 - or nearly 60% - of the votes cast to Gagliardo's 12,591 votes - or approximately 40% of the 31,343 total votes in the sprawling district.
The district covers portions of Buffalo and Amherst along with all of the Town of Grand Island and the City and Town of Tonawanda and the villages of Kenmore and Williamsville.
Zellner was sworn into office Wednesday, as he replaces Sean Ryan, who resigned his long-held State Senate seat on Dec. 31 before being inaugurated as Buffalo's new mayor.
Predictions of a low voter turn out proved to be accurate, as just 14.5% of the 216,766 registered voters in the district cast a ballot.
"Is that an accurate representation of the district? I don't know," Gagliardo said.
The very compact, 30-day special election cycle was Gagliardo's third campaign in less than one year. It was the lone campaign for Zellner.
Gagliardo won the Republican Party Amherst Town Supervisor primary last June, but lost the supervisor's race to Shawn Lavin in November's general election.
"It does take a toll not only on me, but my family," Gagliardo said
Still, Gagliardo - whose holdings include D'Aviolo restaurants - says he feels like there is unfinished political business.
"People are angry, and I get that," Gagliardo said. "We all have the same problems that need to be addressed."
That frustration came through in all three of Gagliardo's campaigns.
"I get the sense that many people were voting out of anger," Gagliardo said. "They want their voices heard at the local level."
Unlike Zellner, who will most likely face a June Democratic primary with Assemblyman Jon Rivera as his candidate, Gagliardo will have clear political sailing if he decides to stay in November's general election for the State Senate seat.
"That gives me more time to deliver my message," Gagliardo said. "My message of accountability and concern resonants with voters."