Normally, things are pretty dull in Western New York this time of year.

Incumbents from the Legislature and Congress begin to gear up for their re-elections, rarely challenged by anyone. Even when there is an open seat, the districts are usually so well gerrymandered that most voters already know who is going to win.
But this year, Buffalo is awash with political activity.

"It's a fascinating year," said Kevin Hardwick, a political science professor at Canisius College. "I'm loving it."

Robert Davis, a political consultant and the former chair of the Erie County GOP, agreed.

"The activity level is as ramped up as I've ever seen it," he said, "and I've been around this business for over 35 years."

Add to the mix a close presidential election, some surprising primary results and the machinations of billionaire Tom Golisano, the combination of open seats and struggling incumbents in Western New York this year has kept the business of politics booming, Hardwick said.

The centerpiece is the election to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-Erie/Genesee/Livingston). Alice Kryzan, an environmental lawyer, pulled off a stunning victory in the Democratic primary, coming out ahead of businessman Jack Davis and Iraq War veteran John Powers to secure the Democratic line. She will run against Republican Christopher Lee in a race that should be closely watched by the whole state.

In the run-up to the primary, the county was practically swimming in mailers, television and radio ads and lawn signs.
"The post office certainly has benefited from all this," Hardwick said.

Sam Williams, co-chair of the Western New York chapter of the Working Families Party, agreed, saying his mailbox has also taken a hit.

"I have gotten more mailings than ever before," Williams said. "It's, like, amazing."

The race for retiring State Sen. Mary Lou Rath's (R-Erie) seat is also generating a lot of buzz. Former boxing heavyweight Joe Mesi easily KO'd his two Democratic opponents. Boosted by Golisano's Responsible New York political action committee, Mesi will face Republican Michael Ranzenhofer in the November general election.

While the seat was drawn to provide maximum advantage to Rath, Hardwick said Golisano's influence could make the seat a pick-up for Democrats, who are hoping to take control of the Senate majority this year.

Other races have mixed political scandal with old grudges. Assembly Member Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo) managed to hold onto his seat despite being dogged by a sex scandal and targeted for defeat by Golisano. State Sen. Dale Volker (R-Erie) also survived a primary challenge, while Assembly Member Michael Cole (R-Erie/Niagara), burdened by his own mini-sex scandal, was defeated by primary challenger Jane Corwin, who poured large amounts of her own money into the race.

Another race turning heads is the one between State Sen. William Stachowski (D-Erie) and retired cold case detective Dennis Delano. Stachowski enjoys a large enrollment advantage in the district, but Republicans are prioritizing the race, hoping to capitalize on Delano's media popularity.

The Stachowski-Delano race, among others, may get overshadowed by some of the higher-profile races, said Davis, who operates the Amherst-based Partnership Ltd. consultant group. If that is the case, Davis said, Delano's candidacy may suffer.

Davis said that he first began to notice the surplus of political activity in the early summer, when instead of throwing relaxed, summer-themed events as they usually do, political operatives began holding more serious, buttoned-down affairs.

"Usually, the summer were 'fun-raisers,' without the 'd,'" Davis said. "Picnics, pig roasts, steak roasts, corn roasts. This year, Republicans, because of the number of candidates in the primary, are having serious cocktail parties."

The result: some fundraisers have had difficulty raising money because donors are tapped out, Davis said.

Like consultants and fundraisers, Williams said the Working Families Party was working overtime to recruit as many volunteers as possible in preparation for election day. He said this year has been unique because the level of activity just for the primary was as high as it has been for the general election in the past.

"We have seven weeks before the general election," Williams said. "We have to stay right in gear."

Davis was enthused by the financial boon his consulting business has seen as a result of the heightened political activity. There was, however, one serious drawback.

"I haven't played much golf in the last few weeks," he said.