[BN] Politics Now 📩: Election denials, Congressional whispers and that race in Cheektowaga

A few facts, figures, comments and thoughts on what has been an interesting month in Buffalo politics:

• Thanks to those who reached out with compliments on my last column about Chrissy Casilio’s grace in the face of defeat, compared with the sore-loser rhetoric coming from defeated Cheektowaga supervisor candidate Mike Jasinski. I probably should have pointed out that it is easier to accept the reality of defeat when the margin is 36,000 votes (in Casilio’s case) than when it is only a few dozen (in Jasinski’s case) and a recount is triggered. Still, Casilio and Jasinski highlighted the continued differences within the Republican Party about what sort of conduct is acceptable in our political system. 

• On that note, how sad is it that we have arrived at a point in this country where politicians are being applauded for accepting the results of elections? I never thought the peaceful transfer of power would be up for debate, either. The only way that kind of conduct is pushed back to the fringe is if good people – candidates, but also regular people at every level of politics – stand up and say, “enough is enough.” Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick stressed that in his most recent “Hardline” appearance, and let’s hope other politicians follow suit.

• Mayor Byron Brown appears to have a close connection with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and other influential members of the Congressional Black Caucus, but he may not be the only one. A knowledgeable Democrat says that some Washington types are salivating over the prospect of having Tim Kennedy’s fundraising abilities at their disposal if he snags Rep. Brian Higgins’ seat. Some point out that if Higgins had the same fundraising ability as Kennedy, perhaps Republicans would not have taken all those House seats downstate. 

• Kennedy, by the way, remains the only declared candidate for the…