BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)......After four months of head-to-head campaigning, in what has been a bruising Democratic Party primary, it now comes down to the voters in the 61st State Senate district to decide who wins the race - be it Assemblyman Jon Rivera or incumbent State Sen. Jeremy Zellner, who is also chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party.
On the eve of the June 23rd primary, both candidates are airing a strong sense of confidence when it comes to tonight's results
"Finally, the voters have a choice," Rivera said.
Between Rivera and Zellner, more than $2 million has been spent by the two candidates.
Rivera has represented the 149th State Assembly District since being elected in 2020. The seat largely covers Buffalo but does cut into Lackawanna and Hamburg.
The 61st State Senate seat covers portions of Buffalo, Amherst along with all of the City of Tonawanda, Town of Tonawanda and Grand Island and the Villages of Kenmore and Williamsville.
It has 91,580 registered Democrats and a total of 200,693 registered voters.
With no Republican Party challenger, who ever wins today's primary will be the de facto general election victor.
For Zellner, this marks his second election for the same seat in the past four months. Zellner beat GOP challenger Dan Gagliardo in a February special election to replace Sean Ryan, who is now Buffalo's mayor.
Ryan has declined to endorse either Rivera or Zellner, saying he is too new as Buffalo mayor and has too many issues to address.
Rivera has heavy backing from unions.
"These are working people," Rivera said.
Zellner, has high powered Democratic Party backing including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Congressman Tim Kennedy.
"It is definitely seeing an election from this side of the street," Zellner said.
While much of the focus in the campaign has been personal swipes by each candidate, both actually agree on many of the same, key issues like the economy, better health care coverage, fighting President Trump and his policies and pushing back against such federal agencies as ICE.
"There's a lot that needs to get done," Zellner said.
Both said issues like the economy have come through loud-and-clear when they met with voters.
"I learned what's really important to them," Rivera said. "People are tired."
As for the personal attacks, both candidates blamed each others campaign.
"From the beginning, my opponent attacked me on things that just aren't true," Zellner said.
Rivera echoed the same sentiment.
"Yes, it was a nasty campaign but people know me and know my values," Rivera said.
The Zellner/Rivera contest is the headline for what is a fairly calm mostly Democratic Party primary.
There is a three person race for Rivera's 149th State Assembly race between Karen Hoak, Kevin Deese and Adam Bojak and a two-person race between Kevin Stocker and Aaron Geise to challenge Rep. Nick Langworthy in the November general election.
Statewide - there is a three person Democratic Party race for the New York State Comptroller's seat pitting incumbent Thomas DiNapoli against Drew Warshaw and Raj Coyle.
Heated race for State Senate - 61st District - seat
Heated race for State Senate - 61st District - seat
