Challenger’s eagerness for 3rd event is resisted
By Robert J. McCarthy
NEWS POLITICAL REPORTER
The campaigns of Democrat Mark C. Poloncarz and Republican incumbent Chris Collins have agreed to two October debates as the contest for county executive moves toward the Nov. 8 election.
Spokesmen for the candidates said Thursday that they have committed to a face-off sponsored by WNED-TV on Oct. 13, followed by an event at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute on Oct. 20.
“Chris Collins looks forward to continue sharing his positive record of results with the people of Erie County,” said Collins spokesman Stefan Mychajliw. “The contrast will be clear between Chris Collins, a successful businessman who is running Erie County like a business and has a strong record of accomplishments, compared to career politician Poloncarz’s record of empty rhetoric designed to distort reality.”
Poloncarz spokesman Peter Anderson, meanwhile, said the campaign is pleased that agreement on two debates has been reached. He noted that the county comptroller also agreed to a third meeting sponsored by WIVB-TV, and will continue to seek that debate despite the apparent rejection by the Collins campaign.
“We’re looking forward to an open and honest debate of the issues,” Anderson said.
Both organizations have strong records in sponsoring debates. WNED traditionally works in conjunction with the League of Women Voters, while St. Joe’s has sponsored debates for many years under the direction of Ted Lina, who teaches Advanced Placement government.
Also on Thursday, Poloncarz released a poll commissioned by his campaign showing him trailing Collins by just 4 percentage points — 44 to 40.
“These numbers reaffirm what I have been hearing all summer long — that the voters of Erie County want a change of leadership,” Poloncarz said. “Voters are fed up with the arrogance and bullying they’ve seen over the last four years.
“They want a leader who will work
with others in order to move Erie County forward, not consume themselves with political gamesmanship,” he added. “Come Nov. 8, I am confident that I will be the next Erie County executive.”
The poll also showed that Collins was viewed favorably by 46 percent of respondents and unfavorably by 38 percent. Poloncarz was viewed by favorably by 42 percent and negatively by 17 percent. Collins was recognized by 98 percent of voters surveyed, according to the poll, while 78 percent recognized Poloncarz.
In addition, the poll asked voters’ opinions in the contest for county clerk between Democrat Maria R. Whyte and Republican Christopher L. Jacobs. It showed Whyte leading, 42 to 39 percent.
The poll of 500 likely voters was conducted by Gerstein, Bocian & Agne Strategies from Aug. 17 to 22. The Poloncarz campaign said the margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.