The 2003 Erie County, New York Executive election took place on November 4, 2003, to select the County Executive of Erie County, New York. Incumbent Republican County Executive Joel Giambra ran for re-election to a second term, and he was challenged by Amherst Town Councilman Daniel Ward, the Democratic nominee. Gambia ultimately defeated Ward in a landslide, winning 55 percent of the vote to Ward's 45 percent.
General election Candidates Joel Giambra, incumbent County Executive (Republican, Independence, Conservative) Daniel J. Ward, Amherst Town Councilman (Democratic, Working Families)
Campaign Giambra, who was viewed as a potential Republican candidate for Governor in 2006, announced his campaign for re-election on March 20, 2003, calling for the November election to "be a referendum on regionalism," "hope," and "opportunity."
Local Democrats struggled to attract a candidate, and eventually recruited Amherst Town Councilman Daniel Ward, who referred to the Giambra administration administration as "brain dead."
Giambra remained the frontrunner throughout the campaign, raising and spending significantly more than Ward. Ward ran an aggressive campaign against Giambra, accusing him of favoritism in county contracts and political patronage in hiring, which Gambia denied.
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin Daniel J.Ward (D) JoelGiambra (R) Other /UndecidedFingerhut Granados Opinion Research September 16–18, 2003 450 (V) ± 5.0% 37% 42% 21%Goldhaber Research Associates October 5–7, 2003 504 (LV) ± 4.4% 25% 47% 23%SurveyUSA October 28–30, 2003 465 (CV) ± 4.7% 42% 53% 5%
Results
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