Patrick Chludzinski unseats Monica Wallace in 143rd Assembly District; Burke survives in 142nd

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Democrat Monica Wallace was upset in her bid for fifth term in the State Assembly, losing in New York's 143rd District to first-time candidate Patrick Chludzinski.

Chludzinski held 52%-48% edge with all polling sites reporting and celebrated his victory in a speech just before midnight. The district includes Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Depew, Sloan, and a piece of Buffalo.

Chludzinski, a Sloan native and Cheektowaga resident, was endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties. He boasted his public safety record as a detective lieutenant in the Cheektowaga Police Department’s Youth and Family Offense Unit, a position he’s held since 2022. He is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army and has served in the Army National Guard. 

The issue of asylum seekers has often played out locally in Cheektowaga, and could have been on voters’ minds at the polls in that district.

"I've seen the issues firsthand that are affecting our town," Chludzinski told WIVB News 4 Tuesday night. "I understand the concerns of the residents and certain changes in New York State laws that have affected our crime and public safety aspect."

In June of this year, Chludzinski called on New York City Mayor Eric Adams and state leaders to reimburse the Maryvale Schools District for its acceptance of nearly 80 migrant children at the beginning of the school year, according to a release on his campaign website. 

Wallace was first elected in 2016. She has focused her platform on public education and working families. She has previously obtained funds for various local school districts’ youth recreation and educational programs, according to her campaign website. 

In a statement, Wallace wished Chludzinski "the best of luck." She also thanked the community and her staff members.

"Representing the residents of the 143rd Assembly District has been the honor of my lifetime," she said in the statement. "I’m incredibly proud of the accomplishments we’ve had — from creating the first Boys & Girls Club in Cheektowaga to increasing the minimum wage to delivering historic investments for schools, parks, and infrastructure. The investments I’ve helped secure will benefit our community for generations to come."

Burke survives in 142nd

Incumbent Patrick Burke appeared to hold off a stiff challenge from first-time candidate Marc Priore, prevailing in a tight race to represent South Buffalo, Lackawanna, West Seneca and Orchard Park.

With all votes reported, Burke was ahead 50.62%-49.24% with a lead of less than 800 votes.

Priore's ads during the campaign hammered Burke over accusations made against him by his former staffers. Burke told the Buffalo News that the Assembly Ethics Committee held an investigation and determined the accusations were unfounded.

Burke, a Buffalo native, will carry out his fourth term in Albany since his first election in 2018. Before his time in the Assembly, he served as an Erie County legislator from 2014 to 2018 where he took part in enacting the county-wide ban of selling products with microbeads. 

He also wrote the PENCE, Prevention of Emotional Neglect and Child Endangerment, bill to end conversion therapy for minors, his biography said, which was introduced in 2016 and passed in 2018. Most recently, Burke and the Family Justice Center announced a $500,000 expansion of the center’s Forensic Medical Unit. 

Priore, a South Buffalo native and West Seneca resident, is currently an administrative lieutenant with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, having originally joined in 1998. 

Prior to his role as lieutenant, Priore served as a New York State Peace Officer and cell block attendant with the Buffalo Police Department.

Other Assembly notes

• Michael Norris left the Assembly to become a justice, but his influence will still be felt in the Lockport-centered 144th District. Paul Bologna, Norris' chief of staff, won the seat, defeating Michelle Roman 61.7%-38.3%. One of the plans on his platform is to create a childcare plan to reduce costs for daycare providers and provide permanent and expanded childcare tax credits. He said his top priority is the safety of residents and their families when it comes to his plans for the criminal justice system, which include increasing penalties for repeat offenders and rejecting what he calls "soft-on-crime policies."
• In Amherst, Karen McMahon won a fourth term representing the 146th district, defeating Deborah Kilbourn by a roughly 60%-40% margin with 96% of votes reported. She focused her platform on providing access to affordable health care, environmental protection and community safety, among other topics.
• Former Congressman Joe Sempolinski won an Assembly seat in the 148th District, representing Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. He fills the seat held by Joseph Giglio.
• As Andy Goodell retires from a long career representing Chautauqua County, his seat in the 150th will be filled by Andrew Molitor (R), who defeated Mike Bobseine (D) with 63% of the vote.

All WNY Assembly races

• 139th: Stephen Hawley (R, incumbent) won, unopposed
• 140th: Bill Conrad (D, incumbent) won, unopposed
• 141st: Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D, incumbent) won unopposed
• 142nd: Patrick Burke (D, incumbent) defeated Marc Priore (R)
• 143rd: Patrick Chludzinski (R) defeated Monica Wallace (D, incumbent)
• 144th: Paul Bologna (R) defeated Michelle Roman (D)
• 145th: Angelo Morinello (R, incumbent) defeated Jeffrey Elder (D)
• 146th: Karen McMahon (D, incumbent) defeated Deborah Kilbourn (R)
• 147th: David DiPietro (R, incumbent) defeated Darci Cramer (D)
• 148th: Joseph Sempolinski (R) defeated Daniel Brown (D)
• 149th: Jonathan Rivera (D, incumbent) won, unopposed
• 150th: Andrew Molitor (R) defeated Mike Bobseine (D)

To view WIVB News 4’s rundown of the biggest races across Western New York, click here.