People kept telling me that the voices in my head were wrong when it came to the power grab in this district. Like I said at the beginning of the primary season, Brown, Hoyt and Lenihan were after the control and power of this whole district. What a pity the people come in last place. When they want power and control it proves my point, it’s all about them.

Not the People, THEM..

Buffalo News - Brown shows growth as a political power
Mayor Byron W. Brown emerges from this week’s primary election as a potent political force following his successful support of Antoine M. Thompson for the mayor’s old State Senate seat, according to a host of Democratic observers.

Just 10 months after his own landslide victory, Brown bucked Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan and his backing of incumbent Sen. Marc A. Coppola to score a convincing win for Thompson on Tuesday in a tough, three-way contest.

Though there is no open split between City Hall and Democratic headquarters, and while Lenihan seems safe in this fall’s election for chairman, those close to the mayor say the election results underscore Brown’s new and growing power.

“At end of the day, our independence is clear, and more importantly, our strength is clear,” said Deputy Mayor Steven M. Casey, Brown’s top political adviser.

“If he wants to take on the mayor again, he ought to think twice next time,” he added, referring to Lenihan.

Factors solidifying Brown’s already strong position include:

The scheduled departure from the local and state political scene of Assembly Majority Leader Paul A. Tokasz of Cheektowaga, who will retire at the end of the year, leaving only Rep. Brian M. Higgins of South Buffalo as a comparable Democratic figure.

Thompson’s strength in nonblack areas of the district, indicating that Brown and other African-American candidates have appeal outside their base. Thompson scored a 54 percent win, for example, in the primarily white Delaware District - Marc Coppola’s own turf.

Brown’s appeal for Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte in Niagara County, which helped her primary victory over an old nemesis whom Brown once fired - Gary Parenti.

The mayor’s apparent ability to successfully direct his own political organization to causes he deems important.

Brown’s insistence on Craig D. Hannah, an African-American, as a candidate for City Court (also supported by Lenihan), which further encouraged black voters.

Though the effort of the party organization on Coppola’s behalf was considered extraordinary, even Lenihan acknowledged Wednesday that Brown’s power must be recognized. He said he remained committed to Coppola only after the former Delaware Council member withdrew from the 2005 mayoral race to pave the way for Brown.

“The heart of Mayor Brown’s strength lies in the 60th Senate District,” Lenihan said. “Perhaps in hindsight, I should have recognized that.”

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, another Coppola supporter, said Brown’s ability to coalesce several traditional Democratic constituencies like ethnic groups and organized labor paid off.

“There’s no question,” Hoyt said. “He’s the No. 1 Democrat in Erie County.”