In a quick 4-week special election, Zellner will be the next NYS Senator for the 61st District

BUFFALO, N.Y. — As quickly as it started, it’s over. 

After four weeks of campaigning Jeremy Zellner has defeated Dan Gagliardo to become elected to the 61st Senate seat. 

Governor Hochul called the special election a month ago, after Sean Ryan resigned from office on the eve of being sworn in as Buffalo’s 64th Mayor. 

Now Zellner will be heading to Albany to represent the residents of the 61st district.

Zellner will be thrust into a hectic budget season while they pick out new drapes for the Albany office. 

Additionally, another campaign is on the horizon. 

Assemblyman Jon Rivera is planning on running for the Democratic Party nomination in the June primary, and the 61st Senate seat will once again be up for grabs in November. 

As of 10:00 pm, Zellner garnered around 60% of the vote, with 17,892 votes cast in his favor. Gagliardo secured about 40% of the vote, with 11,950 ballots cast in his favor.