Michael Kearns
2018 - Present
2026
7
Michael Kearns (Republican Party) (also known as Mickey) is the Erie County Clerk in New York. He assumed office in 2018. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.
Kearns (Republican Party, Conservative Party, Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Erie County Clerk in New York. Kearns (Republican Party, Conservative Party) won in the general election on November 8, 2022. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 28, 2022.
Kearns is a former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 142 from 2012 to 2017. He resigned his seat on December 4, 2017, after he was elected as Erie County clerk.[1]
Biography
Kearns earned his B.A. in political science from Canisius College. His professional experience includes being a member of the South District Common Council in the City of Buffalo, a former Sanitation worker for the City of Buffalo and as Vice-President of Kearns & Associates. Kearns and his wife, Erin, have one child.[2]
Elections
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Erie County, New York (2022)
General election
General election for Erie County Clerk
Incumbent Michael Kearns defeated Melissa Hartman in the general election for Erie County Clerk on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michael Kearns (R / Conservative Party) | 54.4 | 181,101 |
| Melissa Hartman (D / Integrity Party) | 45.6 | 151,701 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 149 | ||
| Total votes: 332,951 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Erie County Clerk
Melissa Hartman defeated incumbent Michael Kearns in the Democratic primary for Erie County Clerk on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melissa Hartman | 63.3 | 33,307 | |
| Michael Kearns | 36.4 | 19,173 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 142 | ||
| Total votes: 52,622 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Michael Kearns advanced from the Republican primary for Erie County Clerk.
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Michael Kearns advanced from the Conservative Party primary for Erie County Clerk.
2018
General election
General election for Erie County Clerk
Incumbent Michael Kearns defeated Angela Marinucci in the general election for Erie County Clerk on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Kearns (R) | 50.6 | 169,445 |
| Angela Marinucci (D) | 49.4 | 165,251 | ||
| Total votes: 334,696 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic Party primary
Democratic primary election
Republican Party primary
Republican primary election
Independence Party primary
Independence Party primary election
Independence Party primary for Erie County Clerk
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Kearns | 79.7 | 1,361 |
| Jonathan LaVell | 20.3 | 347 | ||
| Total votes: 1,708 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Reform Party primary
Reform Party primary election
Reform Party primary for Erie County Clerk
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Kearns | 72.6 | 1,038 |
| Eric Kozlowski | 27.4 | 392 | ||
| Total votes: 1,430 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2017
Erie County in New York held a general election for county officials on November 7, 2017. A primary election was held on September 12, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates in this election was July 13, 2017. All 11 county legislators were up for election, as well as the county clerk, sheriff, and comptroller.[3] Kearns was unopposed in the Republican and Reform Party primaries.
Michael Kearns (Republican/Conservative/Independence/Reform) defeated Steven Cichon (Democratic/Women's Equality/Working Families) in the Erie County clerk general election.[4]
| Erie County Clerk, General Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican/Conservative/Independence/Reform |  Michael Kearns |
51.83% | 110,676 | |
| Democratic/Women's Equality/Working Families | Steven Cichon | 48.17% | 102,846 | |
| Total Votes | 213,522 | |||
| Source: Erie County, NY, Board of Elections, "Erie County Races, Official Tally of Election Results," accessed December 18, 2017 | ||||
Michael Kearns defeated Daniel Stelley Jr. in the Erie County Clerk Conservative primary election.[5]
| Erie County Clerk, Conservative Primary Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Michael Kearns |
90.07% | 1,361 |
| Daniel Stelley Jr. | 9.93% | 150 |
| Total Votes | 1,511 | |
| Source: Erie County Board of Elections, "Official Tally of Election Results," September 12, 2017 | ||
Michael Kearns defeated Krystyna Karstedt in the Erie County Clerk Independence primary election.[6]
| Erie County Clerk, Independence Primary Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Michael Kearns |
63.61% | 963 |
| Krystyna Karstedt | 20.87% | 316 |
| Write-in votes | 15.52% | 235 |
| Total Votes | 1,514 | |
| Source: Erie County Board of Elections, "Official Tally of Election Results," September 12, 2017 | ||
2016
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2016
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.
Incumbent Michael Kearns ran unopposed in the New York State Assembly District 142 general election.[7][8]
| New York State Assembly, District 142 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Michael Kearns Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: New York Board of Elections | ||
Incumbent Michael Kearns ran unopposed in the New York State Assembly District 142 Democratic primary.[9][10]
| New York State Assembly, District 142 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Michael Kearns Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Kearns also ran on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Party tickets.
2014
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2014
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014. Incumbent Michael Kearns was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Kearns also ran on the Republican Party, Conservative Party and Independence Party of New York State tickets. Kearns was unchallenged in the general election.[11][12][13]
2012
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2012
Kearns ran in the 2012 election for New York State Assembly District 142. He ran unopposed in the Democratic, Republican, Conservative Party and Working Families Party primaries on September 13, 2012. He was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[14][15][16]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Kearns Incumbent |
100% | 52,415 | |
| Total Votes | 52,415 | |||
2012 special election
Kearns, a self-identified Democrat, ran on the Republican ticket to challenge the endorsed Democratic candidate. The special election was called to fill the vacancy created when Mark Schroeder (D) resigned after being elected Buffalo City comptroller.[17]
Kearns defeated Christopher Fahey (D) in the March 20, 2012 special election. Kearns ran on the Republican and Independence Party tickets to challenge Fahey.[18][19]
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michael Kearns did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
State legislative tenure
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Banks |
| • Cities |
| • Housing |
| • Libraries and Education Technology |
| • Oversight, Analysis and Investigation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Kearns served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Banks |
| • Cities |
| • Housing |
| • Oversight, Analysis and Investigation |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Kearns served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Banks |
| • Cities |
| • Housing |
| • Oversight, Analysis and Investigation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New York scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2017
In 2017, the 202nd New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 4 through December 31. A recess began June 21, and there was a special session June 28-29.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- EPL/Environmental Advocates: 2017 Environmental Scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 201st New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 6 through June 18.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the 201st New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 7 through June 25.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 200th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 8 to June 19, 2014.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 200th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 9 to December 31.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the 199th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 4 to June 22, 2012.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 199th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 5 to June 20, 2011.
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See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Buffalo News, "Kearns to resign Assembly post; assume clerk duties on Tuesday," November 30, 2017
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography of Rep. Kearns,” accessed August 1, 2014
- ↑ Erie County Board of Elections, accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ Erie County Board of Elections, "2017 Petitions Filed," accessed July 14, 2017
- ↑ Erie County Board of Elections, "2017 Petitions Filed," accessed July 14, 2017
- ↑ Erie County Board of Elections, "2017 Petitions Filed," accessed July 14, 2017
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Election results, 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 State/Local Primary," accessed August 29, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Election returns September 13, 2016," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Certification for the September 9, 2014, State Primary Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Primary results for September 9, 2014," accessed October 1, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Candidate List for the September 13, 2012, State Primary Election," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official September 13, 2012, Primary Results," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ Your News Now, "Parties Talk 145th Assembly Special Election," January 21, 2012
- ↑ NY State Board of Elections, Candidate List, February 28, 2012
- ↑ Buffalo News, "Kearns is winner in landslide upset," March 21, 2012 (dead link)
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