Republican and Buffalo public school teacher, Erik Bohen, is claiming victory in the special election for the 142nd New York State Assembly seat.
The political newcomer celebrated his win at the Iron Workers Local 6 union hall in West Seneca on Tuesday night.
The Assembly seat in the 142nd district has been vacant since Michael Kearns became Erie County Clerk.
With years spent dedicated to education, Bohen says his number one priority is education reform.
Bohen will have to take a hiatus from his role as a school teacher while in the Assembly. He plans on filling at the paperwork with teachers union as soon as Wednesday.
Tuesday's special election will fill one of the 11 vacant assembly and senate seats in New York State. The 142nd district includes parts of South Buffalo, all of West Seneca and Orchard Park and a portion of Lackawanna.
Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke was running on the Democratic ticket.
On Tuesday morning, Burke casted his vote at the Seneca Cazenovia Senior Apartments with his wife and children. Bohen voted following mass at St. Martin of Tours Church.
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