BUFFALO, N.Y. — Dale Volker represented the 59th district for more than three decades. Now a former nurse, sheriff and mayor are running to replace Volker. All of the candidates say Albany needs fixing.
“We need something, this is terrible. This is not what our father’s envisioned,” said Tea Party candidate David DiPietro. He says Western New Yorkers are over taxed and underrepresented in Albany.
The former East Aurora Mayor says it’s time to cut spending and if elected he’ll stop the budget if he has to.
“We need drastic cuts. Drastic times call for drastic measures by leadership,” said DiPietro.
DiPietro says the leadership ethics debate should start with Republican opponent Patrick Gallivan who received the Independent and Conservative endorsements after former Erie County GOP chair James Domagalski withdrew from the race.
“How many phone calls did he get? How many secret meetings did he have? Now one from the Conservative or Independent party called me,” added DiPietro.
“The voters of this district should not be subject to lies,” said Gallivan.
The former Erie County Sheriff says Erie, Wyoming, Livingston and Ontario Counties need an advocate in Albany that can work across party lines in a downstate dominated Senate.
“They have shown that they don’t care about us. Upstate needs representation. We need a check and balance,” said Gallivan. “I see the problems with Albany – families and businesses leaving. My home is here.”
Republicans have a 14,000 person enrollment edge in the district. With Gallivan and DiPietro beating up on each other, it has opened the door for the Democrat in the race.
“I’m not a career politician,” said three term Village of Warsaw trustee Cynthia Appleton.
The former critical care nurse says she plans use her hospital skills to heal upstate versus downstate rifts.
“If you believe in yourself and you build that coalition, people will work with you. I’ve had to reach across the aisle many times to get business done,” Appleton added.
