Election 2009 Winners: Collins, Howard, Poloncarz & Weinstein BUFFALO (wned) - Republican Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard survived a difficult re-election bid Tuesday, defeating Democrat John Glascott 53 percent to 47 percent in a campaign that focused on the operation of county jails and the treatment of inmates.

Howard thanked his supporters for "seeing through all the negative things that have been said over the past few months." Glascott supporters blamed the defeat on poor voter turnout.

Elsewhere, Democratic Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz defeated Republican Philip Kadet. Poloncarz secured 52 percent of the vote to Kadet's 45 percent. Minor party candidate Michael Abramo won 3 percent.

Republicans picked up three seats in the Erie County Legislature Tuesday, a clear victory for County Executive Chris Collins.

GOP candidates Lynne Dixon, Kevin Hardwick and Dino Fudoli defeated incumbent Democrats Robert Reynolds, Michelle Iannello and Diane Terranova, respectively. Terranova held the seat once held by former Legislator Kathy Konst, who left to take a job in the Collins administration.

In the most closely-contested race of the night, Republican Amherst Town Board member Shelly Schratz lost to incumbent Democrat Thomas Loughran 51 percent to 49 percent. Incumbent Democrat Daniel Kozub defeated challenger Vincent Tobia, Sr. Republican Raymond Walter won out over Democrat Justin Rooney.

Democrat Thomas Mazur held his seat over challenger Ted Morton. Democrat Christina Wleklinski Bove deafeated Republican Brian Wirth and incumbent Tim Wroblewski, whom she defeated in the primary and who ran on the Conservative Party line. Democrat Majority Leader Lynn Marinelli defeated Republican challenger Kevin Curtis. Republican Edward Rath held off a challenge from Democrat Francina Spoth.

Democrats Maria Whyte, Barbara Miller-Williams, Timothy Kennedy and Betty Jean Grant ran unopposed, as did Republican John Mills.

In the Town of Amherst, Council Member Barry Weinstein easily won the supervisor's seat, defeating Democrat Alice Kryzan and Conservative Party candidate Bill Kindel. Weinstein won 56 percent of the vote to Kryzan's 40 percent and Kindel's 5 percent.

Republican newcomers Barbara Nuchereno, Steven Sanders and Richard Anderson were also elected to three open seats on the Amherst Town Board. Longtime board member Dan Ward lost his seat. Weinstein says he and the new board members have the same goal: reducing the size and cost of town government.

For complete election results, click here for results from Erie County.

Click here for election results from Niagara County.

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