OMG… This is so pathetic. Hoyt or Kavanaugh, what a choice I have for the Assembly this time, I should have run again so at least I could have voted for myself. But a monkey could run on the Democrat line in this district and win. They are both pro-gay agenda, both abortion supporters, both pro big government, both liberal tax and spend, both,,,, forget it. There is no lessor of two evils, they both are. Hoyt has been useless in this toll fight so I wonder where she stands? Haven’t heard a word from either of them except I just received a fundraiser invite from Kavanaugh.

Byron Pigeon Target Pro Gay Legislator

THROW DOWN!

HOYT CHALLENGED BY KAVANAUGH

BUFFALO •The challenger was the first gay or lesbian person elected to public office in Western New York. The incumbent has the best legislative record on gay and lesbian issues in upstate New York.

Former Buffalo Councilmember-at-large Barbra A. Kavanaugh is now officially challenging Sam Hoyt for his seat in the state Assemblyman .

Kavanaugh, a Democrat was was elected to an at large position on the Buffalo Common Council in 1995. She served only half of her term when she took a job as the Director of then New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s Buffalo office. She, until recent weeks was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice John F. O’Donnell, Sr.

Kavanaugh did have two subsequent failed bids for elected office in 2003 (NYS Lieutenant Governor) and in 2005 (Buffalo City Comptroller). She was unable to rebuild the coalition of gay and lesbian voters that has supported her city council campaign in 1995.

In her 1995 campaign for city council, Hoyt actively supported Kavanaugh through fundraising, volunteers and personally walking with Kavanaugh, introducing her to voters.

Hoyt has served eight terms in the New York State Assembly. He has voted and co-sponsored important legislation such as the Hate Crimes Law, Sexual Orientation Non Discrimination Act, Same Sex Marriage bill, Gender Expression Nondiscrimination bill. Hoyt has throughout his legislative career had a 100% score from the Empire State Pride Agenda. Hoyt is also responsible for millions of dollars in state funding for groups like Aids Community Services, Gay and Lesbian Youth Services, Pride Center of Western New York and other programs that directly benefit gay and lesbian people.

Mayor Byron Brown and former Erie County Democratic Chairperson Steven Pigeon have in the past have targeted Hoyt. In 2004 the pair backed conservativeCity Councilman Joseph Golombek in his challenge to replace Hoyt. Hoyt easily defeated a well financed Golombek. 2008 finds Pigeon financially backing Kavanaugh and the majority of Kavanaugh’s petition signatures were gathered by city hall employees.

Hoyt has been endorsed by The Empire State Pride Agenda and The Stonewall Democrats of Western New York. Kavanaugh did not seek the Stonewall Democratic endorsement.