Stonewall Democrats of Western New York  

*SDWNY had previously endorsed Sean Cooney, who has since withdrawn from the race. *

Endorsement Meeting Minutes

Read coverage of the endorsement meeting on Pink Buffalo. 

Endorsement Background

SDWNY decided at our January 2010 monthly meeting to hold our candidate forum and endorsement for the New York State Senate's 58th District much earlier than anticipated, at our following meeting in February. 

This decision was reached following the strong feeling from the NYS Senate's Marriage Equality vote from late 2009. The incumbent senator, William Stachowski (D-Lakeview), was one of eight Democrats to vote no on marriage equality and deny the LGBT community our equal, civil rights. 

Questionnaires were sent to all declared candidates: local attorneys Sean Cooney and Michael Kuzma, Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy and Sen. Stachowski. 

Sen. Stachowski was the only candidate not to respond and appear before the group for endorsement. 

After interviewing Michael Kuzma, Sean Cooney and Legislator Kennedy at our February meeting on February 16, SDWNY's general membership voted unanimously to endorse Sean Cooney to replace Sen. Stachowski in the 58th Senate District.


In June, Sean Cooney withdrew from the primary race. SDWNY has revisited endorsement for the race at our June, July and August meetings, and has decided that, due to the division within our community regarding the race, we will issue no endorsement before the primary election.


There are currently 4 Democrats running in the primary election. Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy, attorney Michael Kuzma and Thomas Casey are all running against the incumbent Senator. All three challengers are supportive of Marriage Equality, and at least Kennedy and Kuzma are supportive of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act.