James Sampson
James Sampson was the West Seat representative on the Buffalo Board of Education in New York. Sampson sought another term as a write-in candidate in the general election on May 3, 2016. He was defeated by challenger Jennifer Mecozzi.[1]
As problems in the school district became more evident, outside organizations tried to gain influence on the board. Sampson was removed from the ballot after legal challenges to his candidacy petitions. He continued in the race as a write-in candidate.[2]
Biography
Sampson is an adjunct professor in the school of social work at SUNY at Buffalo. He previously worked as the president and chief executive officer of Gateway-Longview, Inc. He also has experience in the criminal justice field as the former superintendent for a minimum security facility in Wisconsin. He is a trustee for the West Buffalo Charter School, the chair of the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority, a member of the board of directors of the Buffalo Niagra Partnership, and a member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo. Sampson obtained a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Buffalo and a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.[3]
Elections
2016
- See also: Buffalo Public Schools elections (2016)
Six of the nine by-district seats on the Buffalo Public Schools school board were up for general election on May 3, 2016. The six seats drew 11 candidates—five incumbents and six challengers. Central Seat incumbent Mary Ruth Kapsiak decided not to file for re-election, leaving Paulette Woods and Bryon McIntyre to run for the open seat. East Seat incumbent Theresa Harris-Tigg ran unopposed after challengers Colleen Russell and Patricia Elliott were removed from the ballot as a result of challenges to their candidacy petitions. Elliott and Russell continued to run as write-in candidates. Ferry Seat incumbent Sharon Belton-Cottman ran unopposed. Candidate Hope Jay challenged incumbent Jason McCarthy for the North Seat. Incumbent Carl P. Paladino ran for re-election to the Park Seat against Austin Harig. West Seat incumbent James Sampson ran as a write-in candidate against newcomer Jennifer Mecozzi.[1]
Union-backed candidates Woods, Harris-Tigg, Belton-Cottman, Jay, and Mecozzi defeated their opponents to break up the majority faction on the board. Paladino was the only former majority member to win after he defeated Harig by a slim margin.
Results
| Buffalo Public Schools, West Seat General Election, 3-year term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Jennifer Mecozzi (unopposed) |
73.24% | 955 |
| Write-in votes | 26.76% | 349 |
| Total Votes | 1,304 | |
| Source: Erie County, New York, "Buffalo School Board Canvas Book," accessed June 2, 2016 | ||
Funding
Sampson reported $18,175.00 in contributions and $4,360.00 in expenditures to the Buffalo Public Schools, which left his campaign with $13,815.00 during the election.[4]
Endorsements
Sampson received no official endorsements for his campaign during the election.
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Erie County Board of Elections, "2016 Buffalo School Board Petitions Filed," accessed April 5, 2016
- ↑ The Buffalo News, "After day in court, Sampson is ousted from school ballot in Buffalo," April 28, 2016
- ↑ Buffalo Public Schools, "Board Members," accessed April 20, 2016
- ↑ Tiffany Rouse, "Email correspondence with Buffalo Public Schools Emlyn Rivera," May 2, 2016
