Dickson questions Burke over donations to State Assembly campaign

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - In what is turning into one of the region's most contested political races, West Seneca Town Supervisor Gary Dickson is raising questions about who is financing incumbent Assemblyman Pat Burke's re-election campaign.

Dickson, the endorsed Republican Party candidate, says Board of Elections filings show that Burke has received more than $25,500 in campaign donations from nine companies - all based in Queens and some of whom share the same address or CEO.

Burke, the endorsed Democratic Party candidate, dismissed the allegations.

"It is whatever his campaign in conjuring up," Burke said. "I stand by my record."

While Dickson admits the donations are "perfectly legal," he claims Burke is $2,000 over Board of Elections limits, and those funds should be returned. The West Seneca supervisor says the optics are open to questioning.

"It is another symbol for 'pay to play' in Albany," Dickson said.

Dickson said he discovered Burke's campaign donations by reviewing Board of Elections filings made in January and earlier this month.

"I see a trail," Dickson said.

Dickson said Burke, who is sitting Assembly chairman on the Standing Committee on Cities, has helped New York City more so than communities in the 142nd District.

Dickson said all of his campaign donations have come from Western New York interests.

A former FBI special agent, Dickson has been West Seneca's supervisor since 2020.

"What he is doing is legal, even if it shouldn't be," Dickson said.

Burke has represented the 142nd District since 2013 - and before that he was an Erie County Legislature representing largely South Buffalo.

The district, a traditionally Democratic Party stronghold, has nearly 39,000 registered Democrats to almost 21,000 registered Republicans and 23,000 independents.

Portions of South Buffalo, West Seneca, Lackawanna and Orchard Park are included in the district.