Hoyt Survives Primary Challenge for Assembly Seat BUFFALO (wned) - In the complicated politics of Western New York, Mayor Byron Brown took a hit on Primary Day, as did Rochester billionaire and Buffalo Sabres owner Thomas Golisano, when Assemblyman Sam Hoyt survived a heated challenge from Barbra Kavanaugh.

Mayor Brown threw his political troops into the campaign to replace Hoyt with former Councilmember Kavanaugh.

Equally eager to see Hoyt ousted, Golisano apparently spent thousands through his political action committee Responsible New York. The PAC has been linked to a group which pelted the 144th district with anti-Hoyt literature.

"Concern about the city of Buffalo, fighting for issues that are important to people, won out over the sleeze they threw at Sam Hoyt," said Democratic County Chairman Leonard Lenihan.

Hoyt has admitted marital infidelity with an assembly intern and faces an Assembly Ethics Committee probe. His indiscretions became the principal issue in a messy, mud-filled campaign.

"I want to apologize to all of you, if I let you down, if I disappointed you," Hoyt told a gathering of Democratic followers. "But most importantly, I want to thank you for standing by me through thick and thin."

Hoyt claimed 57% of the vote in Tuesday's primary.
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