April 21, 2020- Buffalo, NY- Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers his daily press briefing on COVID-19, Coronavirus in Buffalo (Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)

BUFFALO – New York will restart the state’s economy on a regional basis.

That from governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday, making a sharp turn from his earlier statements that such a plan could lead a large number of people to travel to locations where businesses have reopened.

Cuomo announced the regional plan in Buffalo late Tuesday morning.

The governor added that ramping up testing to a level where any resurgence of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus can be quickly detected will be a key to reopening New York’s economy, including allowing some regions to reopen businesses sooner than other parts of the state.

Cuomo said the plan will focus on 10 regions of New York State and each will be subject to a different analysis on when and how to reopen businesses and schools.

Sen. George Borrello, who joined Assemblyman Andy Goodell and other upstate Republicans in calling for a regional reopening approach, said he was very glad to see the governor’s sudden shift.

Cuomo said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will coordinate reopening western New York, and former Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy has been enlisted to oversee reopening of the Finger Lakes region, including Rochester.

Tuesday is Primary Day in Chautauqua County and across new York state with several key election on today’s ballot. For local voters, both major parties as well as major third parties will all have contested races.

Highlighting this year’s primary across the state is the race for governor and lieutenant governor for the Democratic Party, with three candidates on the ballot for governor and two candidates on the ballot for lt. governor.

In the governor’s race, incumbent Andrew Cuomo (Kisco, NY) will facing upstart challenger Zephyr Teachout (Brooklyn, NY) and fellow challenger Randy Credico (New York, NY).

In the Democratic Primary race for Lt. Governor, Kathy Hochul of Erie County has been tapped to be governor’s Cuomo’s running mate, replacing current lt. Gov. Robert Duffy of Rochester, who announced earlier this year he would not be seeking a second term as lt. governor Hochul is running against fellow democrat and Teachout running mate Timothy Wu.

In addition to the democratic primary for governor, there will also be six party primaries in the newly created office for a second Chautauqua County Family Court Judge. A total of four candidates will have their names on the ballot, with all of them vying for at least one of the six party endorsement.

In the Democratic Party primary for that office, Falconer attorney Sally Jaroszynski, who is currently Ellicott Town Justice, will be facing Westfield attorney James Spann Jr. – who currently serves as the Westfield town justice.

For the Republican Party, Jamestown attorney Jeffry Piazza will be running against Fredonia Mayor and attorney Michael Sullivan.

In addition, Piazza, Sullivan and Spann will be competing for the endorsement of the Conservative Party.

Both Spann and Sullivan are candidates for the Working Families Party.

For the Independence Party, Piazza, Spann and Sullivan are all running for endorsement.

And for the Green Party, Spann and Sullivan are running for endorsement.

There is also a primary for Jamestown residents who live in district 12 for the Chautauqua County Legislature. Democrat and current legislator Beth Kresge, who was only appointed to the seat earlier this year, will be facing Jamestown Republican Elisabeth Rankin in the November general election. However, both candidates are also vying for the Independence Party endorsement on primary day – meaning any registered members of the independence party that live in District 12 will have the opportunity to vote for one of the two.

Primary Day in Chautauqua County will have voting from noon to 9 p.m. at all polling locations. Voters can find their personal voter information at www.votechautauqua.com.

Highlighting this year’s primary is the race for governor and lieutenant governor for the Democratic party, with three candidates on the ballot for governor and two candidates on the ballot for lt. governor.

• COMPLETE LIST OF CANDIDATES ON THIS YEAR’S LOCAL BALLOTS

THREE VIE FOR DEMOCRATIC ENDORSEMENT IN GOVERNOR’S RACE

In the governor’s race, incumbent Andrew Cuomo (Kisco, NY) will facing upstart challenger Zephyr Teachout (Brooklyn, NY) and fellow challenger Randy Credico (New York, NY). Teachout is a Fordham University professor who’s garnered a lot of attention after winning a court decision that would allow her name to remain on the ballot following a challenge by Cuomo’s campaign. Credico is a Comedian and considered a long-shot candidate.

In the Democratic Primary race for Lt. Governor, Kathy Hochul of Erie County has been tapped to be governor’s Cuomo’s running mate, replacing current lt. Gov. Robert Duffy of Rochester, who announced earlier this year he would not be seeking a second term as lt. governor Hochul is running against fellow democrat and Teachout running mate Timothy Wu.

FAMILY COURT JUDGE RACES HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL PRIMARIES

In addition to the democratic primary for governor, there will also be six party primaries in the newly created office for a second Chautauqua County Family Court Judge. A total of four candidates will have their names on the ballot, with all of them vying for at least one of the six party endorsement.

In the Democratic Party primary for that office, Falconer attorney Sally Jaroszynski, who is currently Ellicott Town Justice, will be facing Westfield attorney James Spann Jr. – who currently serves as the Westfield town justice.

For the Republican Party, Jamestown attorney Jeffry Piazza will be running against Fredonia Mayor and attorney Michael Sullivan.

In addition, Piazza, Sullivan and Spann will be competing for the endorsement of the Conservative Party.

Both Spann and Sullivan are candidates for the Working Families Party.

For the Independence Party, Piazza, Spann and Sullivan are all running for endorsement.

And for the Green Party, Spann and Sullivan are running for endorsement.

DISTRICT 12 SPECIAL ELECTION TO FEATURE INDEPENDENCE PARTY PRIMARY

There is also a primary for Jamestown residents who live in district 12 for the Chautauqua County Legislature. That seat is having a special election in November, since current legislator and Democrat Beth Kresge was only appointed to the seat earlier this year. She’ll be facing Jamestown Republican Elisabeth Rankin in the November general election. However, both candidates are also vying for the Independence Party endorsement on primary day – meaning any registered members of the independence party that live in District 12 will have the opportunity to vote for one of the two.

Primary day is on Tuesday, Sept. 9. All Chautauqua County poll sites will be open from Noon to 9 p.m.  Voters can find their personal voter information at www.votechautauqua.com.

NY Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s number two will not seek re-election this November.

On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy made the announcement, adding that he formally notified Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a letter. Duffy, who formerly served as Rochester mayor and police chief, called it a life decision and not a political one, adding that he’s thoroughly enjoyed his four years in Albany.

Reports have cited health problems for the 59 year old lt. governor, who’s struggled with the heavy travel requirements and is in almost constant back and leg pain. The constant traveling also prevents him from spending more time with his family.

Duffy reiterated that he is not being forced out, nor leaving because of rumors that his relationship with Cuomo has soured. He said that he continues to have an incredibly strong, positive relationship with the governor.

Cuomo will be running for reelection this November. No word on a possible replacement for Democrat’s choice for a replacement to run as Lt. Governor.

The governor is calling the panel the “New Stadium Working Group” and includes both the mayors of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, along with Lt. Gov Robert Duffy, Buffalo/Niagara Partnership CEO, Dottie Gallagher-Cohen and Empire State Development President Kenneth Adams.

After the Bills signed a 10-year lease in Dec. 2012, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz mentioned that discussions of a new stadium would need to begin immediately.