Buffalo, N.Y (WBEN) - Calling all candidates interested in running for the 141st State Assembly seat - you only have a few hours left to voice your intentions to the Erie County Democratic Party.
The Assembly seat, held by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes since 2003, opened up this week after Peoples-Stokes announced, on April 8, that she is retiring and not seeking re-election.
At least for the Democratic Party, candidates interested in being on the November general election ballot must submit a letter of interest and application to the county Democratic Party's "Committee to Fill Vacancies" by the end of business today (April 10).
State Sen. Jeremy Zellner, who is also Erie County Democratic Party chairman, said as of late Thursday only Ellicott District Councilwoman Leah Halton-Pope sent a letter, or email, of interest.
Zellner, who is not a member of the vacancy committee, said he thinks Halton-Pope would be a good choice to replace Peoples-Stokes after she retires on Dec. 31 Halton-Pope, before elected to the council, was Peoples-Stokes chief of staff.
Peoples-Stokes, 74, opted to withdraw from her re-election race on April 8, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
"I'm happy with my decision," Peoples-Stokes said.
But, local attorney Paul Wolf and a leading good government advocate, said he feels the process is skewed towards "preferred " candidates.
"Too much insider baseball," Wolf said. "I think all they are doing is playing political musical chairs."
Not so, says Zellner.
The process is open to any registered Democratic who lives within the 141st Assembly District that largely covers Buffalo East Side.
Political whispering campaigns have mentioned such people as Erie County Legislators Lawrence Dupre and Taisha St. Jean Tard along with Masten Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart as expressing interest.
"It is open," Zellner said. "Any decision is made by the committee."
The vacancy committee includes members of the county's Executive Committee plus Demone Smith, who is Halton-Pope's chief of staff, WUFO owner Sheila Brown and the Rev. Darius Pridgen - former Buffalo Common Council president.
"They will pick who they feel can best replace Crystal," Zellner said.
While the Republican Party has yet to name an Assembly candidate, there is a possibility that an independent candidate may emerge.
An independent candidate would have to file an application with 1,500 valid signatures by May 22 to be on the November ballot.
Incumbent and party-backed candidates only need 500 signatures.
"The system is rigged," Wolf said. "This is not what our founding fathers had in mind."
Erie County Democratic Party may name an Assembly candidate in the next few days.
Erie County Democratic Party may name an Assembly candidate in the next few days.
