Erik Bohen

Erik T. Bohen (born 1982) is an American politician. A former member of the New York State Assembly, he represented the 142nd district; this district includes South Buffalo, the City of Lackawanna, and the towns of West Seneca and Orchard Park.[1] Bohen was elected to the Assembly in an April 24, 2018 special election, but was defeated in his bid for a full term on November 6, 2018. He is notable for having won election to the Assembly on the Republican line despite being an enrolled Democrat.

Erik T. Bohen
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 142nd district
In office
April 30, 2018 – January 1, 2019
Preceded byMickey Kearns
Succeeded byPatrick B. Burke
Personal details
Born1982
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Political partyIndependent Democrat (2018-present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic (until 2018)
Republican (electorally)
ResidenceSouth Buffalo, New York
Alma materSt. Bonaventure University
Canisius College
Erie Community College
OccupationTeacher, Politician

Early career

Bohen has worked in the Buffalo Public Schools as a special education teacher.[2] He was the campaign manager for Carl Paladino's two successful school board campaigns.[3] He has been active in numerous South Buffalo charities and organizations, including the Ryan Purcell Foundation. His father, Billy, was the longtime business agent for the local ironworkers union.[4]

State Assembly

In 2018, after Mickey Kearns had stepped down from the Assembly to become Erie County Clerk, Bohen announced that he would seek Kearns's vacated seat in District 142; Bohen indicated that he was running as a conservative Democrat[4]. The Erie County Democratic Committee denied Bohen its endorsement and instead gave it to Erie County Legislator Patrick B. Burke, the legislator who sponsored the county's ban on conversion therapy.[5][6] The Erie County Republican Committee and its chairman, Nicholas A. Langworthy, endorsed Bohen and gave him operational support.[7] In an April 24, 2018 special election,[8] Bohen defeated Burke; he received 52% of the vote to Burke's 48% in a race in which less than 15% of eligible voters participated.[9]

Bohen planned to caucus with the Democrats in the Assembly. However, Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stated that before Bohen could join that caucus, he would have to "prove" that he was a "true Democrat".[10] Based on Bohen's outspoken support for Heastie, Republican Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb did not invite Bohen to join the Republican caucus. These two actions left Bohen as the only member of the Assembly without a home caucus.[11][12]

Bohen announced his intention to run for a full term in the November 2018 general election. He issued a press release stating that he could not "align himself" with Andrew Cuomo or the Democratic Party, and would run once more on the Republican line.[13] Bohen lost his bid for election to a full term in a November 6, 2018 general election. He was defeated by his special election opponent, Patrick Burke.[14]

References
  1. "Burke, Bohen face off in Tuesday's special election". WGRZ.
  2. Spina, Matthew (November 6, 2018). "Collins, in victory, takes swipes at the media".
  3. "Paladino Takes Shot At NYSUT After Assembly Special". www.nystateofpolitics.com.
  4. "Bob McCarthy: A fight for the 142nd". February 10, 2018.
  5. "Burke gets Democratic endorsement for 142nd Assembly seat". February 12, 2018.
  6. "Legislator Patrick Burke officially announces run for Assembly seat". January 2, 2018.
  7. "Two Dems vie for 142nd Assembly seat in special election".
  8. Precious, Tom (April 25, 2018). "A day after his Assembly victory, Bohen receives a lesson in Albany 101".
  9. "Our Campaigns - NY Assembly 142 Special Race - Apr 24, 2018". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  10. McKinley, Jesse (May 2, 2018). "Elected on G.O.P. Line, a Democrat Sits Alone" – via NYTimes.com.
  11. "A day after his Assembly victory, Bohen receives a lesson in Albany 101". April 25, 2018.
  12. "Elected on G.O.P. Line, a Democrat Sits Alone".
  13. McShea, Keith (July 13, 2018). "Rookie state assemblyman Bohen: 'I cannot align myself with the Governor'".
  14. O'Brien, Barbara (November 6, 2018). "Patrick Burke claims 142nd Assembly District".
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