Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Jeremy Zellner announced on Monday the official launch of his campaign for the 61st State Senate District seat, previously held in Albany by Sean Ryan, now the Mayor of Buffalo.
If elected to the State Senate, Zellner vows to make working families and affordability his top priorities in the state capital. He also says his campaign will also focus on pushing back against the Trump-MAGA agenda that cuts taxes to billionaires, strips millions of Americans of their health care, and threatens the foundation of democracy
A lifelong resident of Erie County, Zellner was born and raised in the City of Tonawanda. The son and grandson of autoworkers, he grew up in a single-parent household where union jobs and benefits made it possible for his family to have health care and everyday essentials.
“Without those benefits, we simply couldn’t have made ends meet, and today far too many families are facing that same financial crunch, because life is getting more and more expensive," said Zellner on Monday. “As State Senator, I’ll fight to bring the cost of living down, protect access to healthcare, and stand up to those who try to undermine organized labor.”
The 47-year-old has spent more than two decades serving the Democratic Party in Erie County, including as Chair since 2012. During his tenure, the party has built a strong, united, and inclusive organization while delivering consistent electoral victories across the region.
Under Zellner’s leadership, Democrats re-elected County Executive Mark Poloncarz to a historic fourth term, elected Tim Kennedy to Congress and April Baskin to the State Senate, maintained a Democratic majority in the Erie County Legislature, and won competitive races in communities where Democrats had previously struggled. Zellner also pointed to legislative accomplishments secured by Democratic leadership, including actions to curb gun violence, expand affordable housing, and protect reproductive freedom.
He and his wife, Carrie, live in the City of Tonawanda with their two children.
Zellner resigned as Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner this past Friday, following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s call for a Tuesday, Feb. 3 special election to fill the vacancy created by Ryan’s election as Buffalo Mayor.
He is expected to be the Democratic candidate for the seat for the special election against Republican challenger Dan Gagliardo.
In addition, as Zellner understands it at this time, State Assemblyman Jon Rivera has not sent a letter to the Erie County Democratic Committee asking for his nomination for the special election. Rivera had previously made his intentions know to run for the 61st State Senate District seat had Ryan won the mayoral election.
It is likely that Rivera will target the 61st State Senate District in the June primary election.
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