Nov 30
2020
Ken Kruly and Geoff Kelly discuss the self-funding practices of local judicial candidates. They also talk about the latest in the Mark Grisanti saga: an investigation by the state Commission on Judicial Ethics into Grisanti’s handling of a 2018 case argued by attorneys who owed him money.
Nov 23
2020
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a column that published in the current issue of Buffalo Spree. It wasn’t long after Byron Brown was re-elected to a fourth term that talk started circulating around City Hall of a “Drive for Five.” As in, a fifth term. Talk quieted down, at least until the mayor held a fundraiser Oct. 5 at 500 Pearl Street, owned by none other than Carl Paladino’s Ellicott Development. Tickets started at $600, and a table of 10 cost $10,000 and came with a half-hour of schmooze time with Brown. Does the fundraiser signal the[...]
Nov 17
2020
Nov 17
2020
Ken Kruly and Geoff Kelly discuss the current topic of Money In Politics, large campaign contributions by Jon, Jerome and Jeffrey Williams of Niagara County. Together, they’re among the largest political donors in Western New York, and they mostly favor Republican candidates and committees.
Nov 4
2020
I’m not old enough to remember the Kennedy-Nixon cliffhanger of 1960. Bush-Gore, yes. But as a stomach churner, nothing comes close to the ongoing Biden-Trump election. I think most Democrats and Republicans can agree with that – if nothing else. With that said, let me offer some random notes: It’s mostly overlooked, but worth noting, that Biden won the national popular vote. Just like Hillary Clinton four years ago. And Al Gore back in 2000. The margin of victory for the Democratic candidates this time around is about 3.2 million votes as of this writing. Just saying. Turnout nationally was[...]
Nov 2
2020
Nov 2
2020
Voter turnout is considered key to the 2020 presidential election. This week, our Money In Politics takes a look at turnout in Western New York during the last six presidential elections. Our analysis also tracks which candidate won Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. Ken and Geoff discuss the numbers and the turnout so far this year, both locally and nationally.
Oct 30
2020
Investigative Post reported earlier this week on major contributions to the major campaign committees funding Donald Trump and Joseph Biden. (Trump report here, Biden here.) David Bellavia interviewed Jim Heaney about our coverage Friday morning on NewsRadio 930WBEN. Give a listen.