Mike Keane poised to win Erie County District Attorney race

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane is set to be elected to a full term.

Tim Kennedy, who won his race for the Congressional seat in New York's 26th District, declared Keane's victory.

With over 99% of the vote in as of 11:20 p.m., Keane has garnered 59.1% of the vote. He defeats Republican James Gardner, who serves as the Principal Law Clerk to Erie County Judge Kenneth Case.

The victory means that Keane will continue in his role as the county's district attorney, a role he assumed in an acting capacity in April when John Flynn stepped down after more than seven years in the position. Keane had been working with Flynn for the entirety of Flynn's tenure.

"I learned from a tremendous leader. I learned integrity and I learned loyalty," Keane said in a victory speech Tuesday.

Keane has run on a platform of working to improve bail reform, prosecuting criminals and pushing the state legislature to create stronger criminalization of 16 and 17 year old's, particularly in cases of car thefts across the county.

During his time in the DA's office, Keane also worked to overhaul continuing education programs and establish stricter guidelines for evidence discovery. He was a part of establishing the first opioid intervention court in Buffalo, as well as specific courts to deal with human trafficking, gun violence and DWI.

"Public service is really in my blood," Keane said. "I do this job because I love this community, I love Buffalo, I love Western New York. We are a special place and the people of this community is why we're special. It's my honor and my privilege to continue to serve you and continue to work for you."

Keane will begin a four-year term when he is sworn in.