Nate McMurray

Chris Collins' departure from Congress has opened the door to Washington for an aspiring politician. Several have already announced their candidacies for the 27th district, which covers a large, mostly-rural portion of Upstate New York. For those looking to understand the complexities of the district, Batavia may be a good place to start, so says Howard Owens of The Batavian. Owens' message that Batavia sits at "the heart" of the district seems to be making an impact. State Senator Rob Ortt announced his candidacy in front of city hall and two others--State Senator Chris Jacobs and Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray--have sat down for extensive interviews with Owens.

Nate McMurray is doubling down on his campaign following the resignation of Rep. Chris Collins, expressing confidence he can win Collins’ heavily Republican 27th Congressional District as a Democrat.

There might be two familiar faces dueling across the 27th Congressional District next year, with Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray saying he will take a run for the heavily-Republican and conservative congressional seat.

For hours Sunday, Buffalo police formed a line between supporters and opponents of President Trump, as dueling rallies took over Colonial Circle.

Citizen groups who fought Tonawanda Coke say they are being cut out of UB led community projects and fine money. Citizen Science Community Resources along with local officials are asking a judge to require UB to collaborate with the involved municipalities.

Nearly three weeks after Election Day, Democrat Nate McMurray reluctantly conceded his race against Rep. Chris Collins in New York's 27th Congressional District. However, the concession included an angry series of blasts at the incumbent and a vow to "fight like hell" to involve the public in politics.

Incumbent Republican Chris Collins has declared victory after the absentee and emergency ballot count in Erie County kept in him in a very slim lead over Democratic challenger Nate McMurray.

Congressman Chris Collins has kept a low profile since he was indicted on charges of insider trading. While silence may be a preferred legal strategy, it's not the standard approach for a congressman seeking reelection. Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy was able to make contact last week and sought answers on a number of issues.  Collins said he decided to stay in the race because he didn't believe he could get his name off the ballot, but McCarthy says Republican Party officials are refuting that claim.

In a speech quoting poet William Butler Yeats and President Ronald Reagan, former Vice President Joe Biden told a University at Buffalo audience political leaders have to "lower the temperature" of politics.

One of the architects behind Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Steve Bannon, will be in Elma for a "Get Out the Vote Rally" on Oct. 24 at the Jamison Road Fire Hall. WBFO's Marian Hetherly talked with Political Consultant Michael Caputo, who has been working with Bannon on about 30 close Republican races nationwide this midterm election and said people will start gathering at 4:30 p.m.

A new poll showing a close race between challenger Nate McMurray and incumbent Chris Collins is adding to the intrigue in the 27th Congressional District. Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy believes the poll will prompt national Democrats to infuse new funding into McMurray's upstart campaign. Meanwhile, few of Collins' political allies are standing up for the troubled incumbent. McCarthy points out how most of the big names, notably President Donald Trump, are remaining quiet, at least for the time being.

Three months ago, Chris Collins was expected to cruise to reelection in November. That was before the congressman was indicted on insider trading charges and announced he was suspending his campaign. Collins, of course, reversed that decision, stating that he would "actively" campaign in the 27th district. As Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy points out, that activity has featured some limited public appearances and  heavy spending on political advertising, including one commercial which has raised the ire of ethnic groups and Democratic challenger Nate McMurray.

Western New York Republicans are pondering their options for finding a new candidate, now that federal insider trading charges have led Rep. Chris Collins to suspend his campaign for re-election.

Rep. Chris Collins may have suspended his campaign for re-election but before dropping out the Clarence Republican sparked a lot of interest in his Democratic challenger Nathan McMurray.

Congressman Chris Collins has suspended his re-election efforts after he was indicted on insider trading charges last week.

She was defeated six years ago by the man now holding her former seat in the House of Representatives. Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo suggested she'd be an ideal candidate to challenge Chris Collins this November. But Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, during an appearance in Buffalo, says she's better serving people in her current role.

Political observers are recalculating their expectations for the race in the 27th Congressional District in light of Chris Collins' legal troubles. Roll Call, the Washington D.C.-based publication, had rated the race as "solidly Republican" before Collins was indicted on charges of insider trading. Roll Call's Bridget Bowman tells WBFO that doors are now opening for Nate McMurray that may give the Democratic challenger the money needed to fund an upset.

Most political observers believed the Republican party would hold New York's 27th Congressional district in the November election. That belief may have wavered yesterday when Congressman Chris Collins was indicted on charges of insider trading. Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy points out how the majority of voters in the district are registered Republican. But he also predicts Democratic challenger Nate McMurray's campaign will receive a substantial financial boost from national interests hoping for an upset in the district.

Rep. Chris Collins (R-Clarence) and two others pleaded not guilty to insider trading charges in a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Wednesday. During an evening news conference in Buffalo afterward, Collins rejected calls that he resign from Congress.

Several more miles of the local waterfront will soon be open for the public to enjoy. Plans are moving forward for a riverfront pedestrian trail on Grand Island.