Tuesday Headlines: Rust Belt Rumble

Are the walls closing in on state Sen. Jeremy Zellner (D-Erie County)?

He lost his re-election campaign against Assembly Member Jon Rivera (D-Buffalo) in June, and now he faces not one, but two challenges to his leadership of the Erie County Democratic Party.

Erie County Legislator Jeanne Vinal has joined Amherst Town Board Member John Davis in formally announcing a campaign for committee chair. According to The Buffalo News, these are longshot bids, but the same was said about Rivera’s campaign. On the way to an upset victory, his campaign galvanized voters by arguing that Zellner was double dipping by running the party committee that appointed him to the state Senate seat in the first place.

Committee members, rather than voters, won’t decide the balance of power in Western New York until September.

Elsewhere in the Empire State:

• Assembly Member Pat Burke’s (D-Buffalo) campaign donations are prompting a Republican opponent to cry foul. (BTPM)
• State matching funds are powering several campaigns in Western New York. (The Buffalo News)
• Monroe County is almost ready to create a master plan for Henrietta Park, which will include trail connections. (WXXI)
• Tinkering with Woodstock’s Tinker Street has some locals concerned about the impact on business and tourism. (The Times Union)
• About 100 days separate voters and a gubernatorial election. (State of Politics)
• Construction on a vital connection between Grand Central and the rest of Metro-North’s routes was completed earlier and cheaper than expected. (The City Reporter)
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said that a new funding bill for Penn Station is dead on arrival if renaming it after President Trump is part of the plan. (The Daily News)
• LIRR will make travel from Manhattan to Montauk permanent. (Newsday)
• Do our state lawmakers need to work year-round, and if so, should that happen? (City & State)