The upcoming Democratic primary for Buffalo’s 149th Assembly District has become a microcosm of the party’s internal divisions, showcasing a fascinating mix of political philosophies and backgrounds. The race features three candidates with compelling personal stories and distinct approaches to addressing the district’s challenges.
The district itself presents an interesting dynamic, encompassing much of Buffalo’s West Side, a sliver of Lackawanna along the lakefront, and extending to the Town of Hamburg. This geographic spread creates a unique political landscape, with traditionally Democratic areas like Buffalo’s West Side leaning more progressive, while Hamburg has shown recent Republican tendencies with its Democrats tending toward centrism.
Candidates with Diverse Backgrounds and Support Bases
The three candidates bring very different backgrounds to the race. Karen Hoak represents the establishment candidate with deep political roots in Hamburg. Her family has been a staple in local Democratic politics for three generations, with her grandfather serving as a state senator in the 1960s and her father as a longtime town supervisor. Hoak herself has served on the town board and works as deputy commissioner for Erie County’s Department of Public Works.
On the other end of the spectrum is Adam Bojaka democratic socialist who has gained significant labor support. Bojak, who grew up in East Aurora and now lives in the city, was inspired by Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign to enter politics. He ran for the same seat in 2026, finishing second with about 30 percent of the vote, which he saw as validation of his message.
Rounding out the field is Kevin Deesea relative newcomer to politics who has quickly made a name for himself. Deese, who was raised in Florida and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, has positioned himself as a progressive who can bridge divides within the party. His personal story includes successfully challenging a federal policy that initially disqualified him from military service due to an HIV diagnosis.
Policy Platforms with More Similarities than Differences
Despite their differing backgrounds and political philosophies, the three candidates share many policy positions. All support the New York Health Actwhich would create a statewide single-payer healthcare system. They also agree on the need for more housing across the state, reducing energy bills for consumers, and providing universal childcare.
Where they differ is in their approaches to achieving these goals and their priorities for additional issues. Bojak emphasizes the need for universal solutions to universal issuesadvocating for raising taxes on corporations and the ultra-wealthy to fund programs like universal childcare. He also supports publicly owned utilities to control rising costs for essential services.
Hoak focuses on her experience as a single mother and her work in both the private and public sectors. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships across political divides to address the number one issue she hears from voters: affordability. This encompasses housing, healthcare, childcare, infrastructure, and public safety in her view.
Deese positions himself as a progressive who can work within the system to effect change. He supports the New York HEAT Act to transition away from natural gas infrastructure and the governor’s reforms to streamline housing construction. He also emphasizes the need for durable coalitions that move beyond intra-party debates.
The Role of Endorsements and Political Support
The candidates have garnered support from different quarters, reflecting their political philosophies and approaches. Bojak has received endorsements from 10 labor unions, including the New York State AFL-CIO and United Autoworkers Region 9, as well as progressive political groups like the Working Families Party and Democratic Socialists of America.
Hoak has the endorsement of the Erie County Democratic Committee and several labor unions, including AFSCME Local 1095, which represents most of the county’s public works employees. She has also received support from online sport-betting companies FanDuel and DraftKings through their political action committee, New York Future.
Deese has gained endorsements from groups like the Stonewall Democrats of Western New York and has positioned himself as a fresh face in politics, appealing to voters looking for change from both the establishment and more aggressively leftist alternatives.
The primary election is set for June 23, with early voting beginning on June 13. The winner will face Republican and Conservative Party candidate Frank Bogulski in the November general election. While Bogulski faces steep odds given the district’s Democratic leanings, the primary race itself offers a compelling look at the diverse visions within the Democratic Party for addressing the challenges facing Buffalo’s 149th Assembly District.
