Democrats Overcome GOP’s Migrant Strategy in Western New York

Democrats in western New York retained control of the county executive’s office in Erie County on Tuesday, with Mark Poloncarz, the incumbent, winning a record fourth term in a spirited challenge from Chrissy Casilio, a first-time Republican candidate to keep out. Associated press.

Erie County, home to the liberal stronghold of Buffalo, typically leans Democratic, but Republicans sought to oust Mr. Poloncarz by pressuring him for initially welcoming migrants who bused from New York City to the province before abruptly reversing his decision.

The Erie County contest was one of several in New York that both parties were closely watching as potential barometers of voters’ attitudes toward the migrant crisis ahead of next year’s elections. Fierce competition for at least six congressional seats in the state is expected in 2024, making New York a crucial battleground in the battle for control of the House of Representatives.

On Long Island, Republicans hoped to regain control of the county executive’s office in Suffolk County for the first time in two decades. This would allow them to recapture one of the last Democratic strongholds in the New York suburbs.

Ed Romaine, the Republican candidate, challenged Dave Calone, the Democrat, by attacking Democratic policies on crime, the cost of living and a worsening crisis at the southern border that has resulted in more than 100,000 migrants being sent in the past year flowed to New York. .

A victory for Romaine would continue his party’s recent resurgence on Long Island, where Republicans now control all four seats in the House of Representatives amid a push by Democrats out of most major offices over the past two years. has wiped away.

The office of the provincial executive is responsible for raising taxes, maintaining infrastructure, and providing other essential, and often apolitical, services to residents.