2011 Erie County, New York Executive election

2011 Erie County Executive election

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Nominee Mark Poloncarz Chris Collins Party Democratic Republican Alliance Working Families Party Parties Independence Conservative Popular vote 123,053 110,050 Percentage 52.79% 47.21%

County Executive before election Chris Collins Republican Elected County Executive Mark Poloncarz Democratic

The 2011 Erie County, New York Executive election took place on November 6, 2011, to select the County Executive of Erie County, New York. Incumbent Republican County Executive Chris Collins ran for re-election to a second term. ^[1]

Collins was a controversial figure in his first term, drawing criticism for comparing State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Jew, to the anti-Christ and Adolf Hitler, ^[2] and allegedly making sexually suggestive remarks at the 2010 State of the State address to a female attendee. ^[3] Though Collins considered a run for Governor in 2010, he ultimately declined to run. ^[4]

In Collins's bid for a second term, he was challenged by County Controller Mark Poloncarz, the Democratic nominee. Poloncarz ultimately defeated Collins, winning 53 percent of the vote to Collins's 47 percent. ^[5]

Democratic nomination

Three candidates appeared likely to seek the Democratic nomination for County Executive: County Controller Mark Poloncarz, County Clerk Kathy Hochul, and State Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak. ^[6] However, following the resignation of Republican Congressman Chris Lee, a special election was scheduled in New York's 26th congressional district, and local Democrats selected Hochul as their nominee, ^[7] removing from her from contention for the County Executive nomination. ^[8]

Poloncarz announced that he would challenge Collins on May 7, 2011, ^[9] and was endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Party on May 17, ^[10] ultimately assuring him of the nomination without a primary.

Independence Party primary

Candidates

• Chris Collins, incumbent County Executive ^[11]
• Richard L. Woll, party activist ^[11]

Results

Independence Party primary results ^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Chris Collins (inc.)	1,214	59.66%
	Independence	Richard L. Woll	821	40.34%
Total votes			2,035	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Chris Collins, incumbent County Executive (Republican, Conservative, Independence) ^[13]
• Mark Poloncarz, County Controller (Democratic, Working Families) ^[13]

Results

2011 Erie County Executive election ^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mark Poloncarz	110,899	47.58%
	Working Families	Mark Poloncarz	12,154	5.21%
	Total	Mark Poloncarz	123,053	52.79%
	Republican	Chris Collins	83,555	35.84%
	Conservative	Chris Collins	17,265	7.41%
	Independence	Chris Collins	9,230	3.96%
	Total	Chris Collins (inc.)	110,050	47.21%
Total votes			233,103	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican

Aftermath

Collins was seek as a possible candidate for Governor in 2014, with his defeat taking him out of contention, ^[15] though he ultimately ran for Congress in 2012 and defeated Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Hochul in her bid for re-election in the 27th district.

References

1. Popiolkowski, Joseph (March 27, 2011). "Collins announces bid for 2nd term". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. C3. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
2. Benjamin, Elizabeth (October 26, 2009). "Erie County Executive Collins regrets comparing Sheldon Silver to Hitler, anti-Christ". New York Daily News . New York City. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
3. McCarthy, Robert J. (January 14, 2010). "Collins trips over his tongue again". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. A1. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
4. McCarthy, Robert J. (August 21, 2010). "Collins ends run for governor". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
5. McCarthy, Robert J. (November 9, 2011). "Poloncarz register convincing triumph". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. A1. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
6. McCarthy, Robert J. (April 10, 2011). "Collins settling into the driver's seat: Awaiting a challenger, executive is confident in bid for second term". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. A1, A2. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
7. McCarthy, Robert J. (March 20, 2011). "Democrats pick Hochul as candidate to succeed Lee". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. C3. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
8. McCarthy, Robert J. (March 19, 2011). "Hochul signals plan to run for Congress". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. A1. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
9. Popiolkowski, Joseph (May 8, 2011). "Poloncarz officially enters race for county executive". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. B3. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
10. McNeil, Harold (May 18, 2011). "Party backs Poloncarz, LoVallo". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. B3. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
11. McCarthy, Robert J. McCarthy (September 13, 2011). "Low turnout expected for dull primary elections". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. B1. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
12. "Independence Primary" (PDF). Erie County Board of Elections. 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
13. Spina, Matthew (July 15, 2011). "Petitions are filed, but not for Legislature races". The Buffalo News . Buffalo, New York. p. B2. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
14. "2011 General Canvass Book" (PDF). Erie County Board of Elections. 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
15. Celock, John (November 9, 2011). "Chris Collins, Potential Andrew Cuomo Opponent, Defeated In Reelection Bid". HuffPost . Retrieved July 28, 2025.