Councilman Lawsuit Followup
Eric Ortner
North Buffalo Rocket / West Side TimesFollow-up from Earlier Article
March 2000: Following a lawsuit filed by Delaware District Councilmember Coppola, Governor George E. Pataki has issued a proclamation declaring March 28, 2000 as the date for special elections. It was called to fill the vacancy in the office of Member of Senate in the 57th Senatorial District in Erie and Niagara Counties. The vacancy was caused by the resignation of the Honorable Anthony R. Nanula who recently was elected the City of Buffalo's Comptroller.
Governor Pataki signed the proclamation on Thursday, February 17th. According to Pataki's office, March 28th has been designated because it is the first day allowed by law to avoid conflicts with the March 7 presidential primary.
Councilmember Coppola who is the Democratic Party's Nominee for the 57th District position commented, "Obviously I'm pleased that he made that decision to fill the vacancy because at this moment in time there isn't anybody representing our area in Albany. Now that the court case is behind us, I feel that we have to reach out to all of the voters in the 57th Senate Seat for the March 28th, 2000 election, which is a Tuesday.
I'm still not taking anything for granted. There's going to be competition. The Republicans are going to be putting up a candidate, and who's gonna get out the most voters, that's the key, that's the trick."
The Republicans are sure to have a candidate, but as of Tuesday, February 22 morning there was no official decision on the matter. Robert E. Davis, Erie County Republican Party Chairman, explained, "I am waiting to hear from John Long, the Niagara County Republican Party Chairman, who is engaged in conversations with Niagara County Legislator Renee Kimbal regarding our endorsement. We anticipate making a decision in the next couple of days."Typically in the past, special elections result in a low voter turnout. According to Coppola, they usually only bring in about 5-10% of the voting population. This has been the case in all the special elections over the last six to eight years.
