As the countdown to Election Day enters the final stretch, we’ve put together everything you need to know for Nov. 6 in the city and surrounding area.
Stories/videos about many of the candidates, including all those in Salamanca, can be viewed by clicking on their names listed below.
(D = Democrat; R = Republican; I = Independence; C = Conservative; WF = Working Families)
Salamanca
In the city’s mayoral race, former mayor Carmen Vecchiarella (D, C, WF) is running against former alderman Larry Butler (R, I). The two are vying for the seat currently occupied by Jeffrey Pond, who reached his term limit and will resign at the end of the year with nine years of service to the city. You can watch video interviews with the two mayor candidates by clicking here for Vecchiarella’s and here for Butler’s.
In Ward 1, incumbent Ronald Ball (D, People’s Party) is facing opposition from Richard Ingles (R, I).
In Ward 2, incumbent Bill Ferguson (R, C, I) is facing opposition from Bill Labuhn (D, People’s Party).
In Ward 3, incumbent James Griffith (D, R, C, WF, I) is running unopposed in a seat he was named to earlier this year. He filled the vacancy of Roger Bailey, who moved out of the city.
In Ward 4, incumbent Mike “Smitty” Smith (R) is facing opposition from Sandy Magiera (D, People’s Party). The two faced off in the Democratic primary in September, with Mageria getting the nod. Smith is running on the Republican line with backing from the city’s Republican committee.
In Ward 5, Luke Stewart (R, I) and Rich Cuozzo (D, People’s Party) are battling for an open seat previously occupied by E.J. Riley, who has reached his term limit.
Cattaraugus County
Ronald Ploetz (D, R, C, I) is running unopposed for the county judge seat.
For county coroner, David Siafakas (D) of Killbuck is running against Bradley Spink (R, C, I) of Olean.
Joseph Keller (D, R, C, I) is running unopposed for county treasurer.
Other Area Races
For Ashford Town Justice, Carl Stiles (R) is facing Stephen Kowalski (I). The two faced each other in the Republican Primary earlier this year, with Stiles getting the nod.
For Ellicottville Town Justice, Andrew Stokes (D, R) is running unopposed.
In Franklinville, Wayne Holden (D, C) is running unopposed for a town justice seat. There is also a proposition on the ballot to reduce the number of town justices from two to one.
For Humphrey Highway Superintendent, William Timme (D) is running against Donald Prentice (R) for the vacancy.
In Leon, Ashley Milliman (R) is running against Montgomery Sticek (Taxpayers Party) for the town justice seat. Also, Jerome Ellis (People for Change) is running against Amy Brookover (Constitutionalist) for councilman.
In Randolph, Jeffrey D. Greeley (R) is running unopposed for town justice.
United States Congress – New York’s 23rd District
Incumbent Representative Tom Reed (R, C, I) is facing opposition from Nate Shinagawa (D, WF) in the state’s new 23rd district for United States Congress.
New York State Senate – 57th District
New York State Senator Catharine M. Young (R, C, I) is running unopposed for her state senate seat in the 57th district.
New York State Assembly – 148th District
Incumbent Joseph Giglio (R, C, I) is facing opposition from Daniel J. Brown (D, WF) for his state assembly seat.
United States Senate – New York
Incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand (D, WF, I) is being challenged for her U.S. Senate seat by Wendy Long (R, C) and three third party candidates: Colia Clark, Chris Edes and John Mangelli.
United States President
Incumbent President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden (D, WF) are challenged for the seat by Mitt Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan (R, C) and a variety of third party candidates.