Author Archive
Justin Sondel
New York State
Politics
“We battled to get that food store:” What the Tops supermarket meant to Buffalo’s Black community
The racist mass shooting has left a deep scar at a symbol of resilience on the city’s East Side.
- By Justin Sondel
Interviews & Profiles
Personality
Peoples-Stokes: I’m disappointed in how America allows racism to continue
The Assembly majority leader discusses the aftermath of the Buffalo mass shooting and impact on her community.
- By Justin Sondel
News & Politics
Politics
Biden visits Buffalo after mass shooting to comfort a grief-stricken city
The president called the attack “domestic terrorism” in a speech and met with the families of the victims.
- By Justin Sondel
Campaigns & Elections
Politics
India Walton and Byron Brown debate for the last time
Buffalo voters will choose between the Democratic nominee for mayor and the incumbent who lost the primary in a highly scrutinized race that pits progressives against moderates.
- By Justin Sondel
Campaigns & Elections
Politics
AOC, downstate progressives help India Walton
Many Buffalo Democrats are staying on the sidelines. So the party’s mayoral nominee has gathered support elsewhere.
- By Justin Sondel
Interviews & Profiles
Personality
India Walton still has a general election to win, and Buffalo’s elite aren’t making it easy
Byron Brown will not be on the ballot, but not for lack of pulling strings.
- By Justin Sondel
New York State
Politics
Upstate incumbent mayors face challenges from the left
Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany all have races to watch on June 22.
- By Justin Sondel
Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Personality
Crystal Peoples-Stokes is on the precipice of her biggest achievement
How the first woman, and first African American, to serve as Assembly majority leader fought for equitable marijuana legalization.
- By Justin Sondel
New York State
Politics
Has Trump made upstate great again?
Outside its urban centers, much of New York voted heavily for Donald Trump. But the president hasn’t fulfilled his promise to fix the rural and Rust Belt economy.
- By Justin Sondel
New York State
Personality
Can a Trump-loving upstater bring back the New York GOP?
Nick Langworthy got what he wanted. Now what will he do with the Republican Party?
- By Justin Sondel
Criminal justice
Policy
Will upstate Catholic legislators support the Child Victims Act?
The sex abuse scandal in Buffalo makes it more likely.
- By Justin Sondel
MagazineShow All
Chris Collins
Politics
Chris Collins’ office entryway campaign
The indicted congressman has been even harder to reach than usual, but many voters didn’t mind.
- By Justin Sondel
Marcus Molinaro
Personality
Is Marc Molinaro the next George Pataki?
Marc Molinaro is an appealing GOP candidate who is strikingly similar to New York’s last Republican governor. But George Pataki never had to contend with President Donald Trump.
- By Justin Sondel
New York State
Policy
Cuomo banned fracking. But is he still vulnerable on natural gas pipelines?
Cynthia Nixon tries to ride the environmentalist tide that propelled Zephyr Teachout in 2014.
- By Justin Sondel
Andrew Cuomo
Politics
Why upstate Democrats like lefty candidates
In recent Democratic primaries, rural parts of New York state have been the most likely to embrace left-leaning insurgent candidates such as 2014 gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential bid - and Cynthia Nixon's 2018 candidacy for governor.
- By Justin Sondel
John DeFrancisco
Personality
John DeFrancisco, the underdog
State Sen. John DeFrancisco: The underdog
- By Justin Sondel
New York City
Policy
NYC again looks to state to expand design-build authorization on public projects
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- By Justin Sondel