April Baskin gets Democratic endorsement for 63rd State Senate seat

That puts Baskin, of Buffalo, on a solid path to becoming the first Black woman in the region to serve in the State Senate. She would become just the third woman in Western New York – after former Sens. Mary Lou Rath and Catherine Young – elected to the upper chamber.

“I am honored to have earned the endorsement for State Senator from the Erie County Democratic Committee,” Baskin said in a statement. “I want to bring my energy and determination to Albany. With your support, I will fight for every community in the 63rd District and for the values we all share.”

Zellner said in a statement, “In a year when the face of local politics is changing dramatically, our party is fortunate to have outstanding leaders at every level of government, ready to step up and continue their service to the people of Western New York…April Baskin is always a fighter for Western New York and always at the forefront of the fight.”

Baskin edged out Buffalo Common Council Member Mitchell P. Nowakowski of the Fillmore District for the endorsement for the 63rd District, which includes parts of Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Lackawanna. 

Nowakowski, 32, previously was campaigning for the Common Council presidency and has been mentioned as a future mayoral candidate. The first openly gay man to be elected to the Common Council, he had hoped his Polish last name might appeal to voters in Cheektowaga.

In the interest of what he called Democratic Party “cohesion,” Nowakowski said he would not challenge Baskin in a primary. 

“I fully respect their decision,” Nowakowski said of the Democratic committee. “I know there will be other opportunities to serve this region at a higher level. I remain extremely lucky to continue to serve the residents of the Fillmore District on the Buffalo…