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Democrat Jeremy Zellner beat Republican Dan Gagliardo in the special election to replace Sean Ryan in the 61st state Senate seat.
The position opened up when Ryan was elected in November to be Buffalo mayor.
Late Tuesday night, an unofficial tally from the Erie County Board of Elections showed Zellner captured 60% of the vote, while Gagliardo won 40% between the Republican and Conservative lines.
Those figures were based on 98.4% of election districts reporting on Election Day and 100% of votes counted in early voting.
Zellner will fill the remainder of Ryan’s term of office, which ends Dec. 31, 2026. There will be another election in November for the next two-year term.
The 61st Senate District includes the towns of Grand Island, Amherst and Tonawanda and parts of the City of Buffalo, and the City of Tonawanda, as well as the villages of Kenmore and Williamsville.
Zellner, the former Erie County Democratic Party chair, campaigned on the issues of affordable housing, a woman’s right to choose, and for common-sense gun laws. He said he understands the need for good union jobs and to protect health care and workers’ benefits.
Gagliardo, a businessman who owns D’Avolio restaurant, said he would fight for lower taxes and utility costs, a business-friendly climate that create jobs, safer communities, and accountability and common sense in government.
Voters from Grand Island's districts 2 and 6 exercised their right to vote on a snowy special election day, Feb. 3. (Photo by Alice Gerard)
1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: 716-773-7676
Fax: 716-773-7190
