Political observers may be scratching their heads by some recent appearances Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has made.
On Saturday, while tens of thousands of his constituents in Erie County were participating in a 'Hands Off' rally in Niagara Square, Poloncarz was on the road to Seneca Falls to participate in a smaller gathering there, far away from the confines of Erie County where he was elected to serve.
The rally was held in the solid red NY 24 congressional district currently represented by Rep. Claudia Tenney, and Poloncarz even called her out by name in a post on X from the event.
Last month, Poloncarz did a rare town hall meeting and chose the Town of Concord for the setting, inside Erie County, but in the middle of the reddest of red part of the NY 23 congressional district currently held by Rep. Nick Langworthy.
Following national guidance for Republican members of Congress, Langworthy has been doing his routine town hall meetings via phone, and the move by Poloncarz has some insiders wondering if it was a 'test balloon' and meant to send a message.
So, is Poloncarz, a progressive Democrat, testing the waters to see if he could make a run in either NY 23 or NY 24?
"Maybe," says Albany Insider Jack O'Donnell of O'Donnell and Associates.
Poloncarz was in the mix of names to replace Brian Higgins in the NY 26 district, however party officials went in another direction and selected Rep. Tim Kennedy, who now holds the seat in the strong blue leaning district.
Some insiders tell WBEN Poloncarz took exception to the Kennedy choice and now suggest he may be looking for another route to Washington. Poloncarz keeps it no secret he would be comfortable in DC, taking numerous trips to the capitol and posting extensively on social media.
O'Donnell told WBEN's Hardline program Sunday that it would be a tall order for Poloncarz to be successful in either of the deep red districts. "Because of the redistricting process in New York, Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy would be overwhelming favorites in either of those races," O'Donnell said. "Absolutely, it would be a very uphill battle."
In the Tenney district, where Poloncarz consciously went to Saturday, he would need to introduce himself as a political unknown to the region. "Mark Poloncarz brings some recognition and ability to raise some money, but his past stances and that name recognition can be a double-edged sword when you’re trying to present yourself in a different place," O'Donnell stated.
While Tenney and Langworthy are both incumbents, they would enjoy the benefits that come with that, including the ability to raise substantial campaign money. Some insiders suggest Poloncarz may attract national campaign funds if he were to show signs of life in the race, however that would likely be determined only if there was substantial momentum.
For his part, Langworthy tells WBEN he is focusing on his job, and expects he will have opposition in every election, including the one in 2026.
"The county executive has a long record of trying to have a voice in areas where he has no authority or jurisdiction," Langworthy told us. "He is out of the mainstream for the values of this district."
While Poloncarz' recent actions would support the possibility of his intention to run for congress, only time will tell.
"We have nine counties, 160 towns and seven cities, and if he wants to get on the trail, I’d be happy to have him," Langworthy quipped.
Poloncarz was elected in 2012, is serving in his 4th term and has indicated he won't seek reelection.