Elder announces state assembly bid; challenging incumbent Morinello

Apr. 16—Incumbent Republican Angelo Morinello has a challenger in his bid to retain his seat as the representative of the state 145th Assembly District.

Jeffrey Elder, a Niagara County lawmaker who has represented Niagara Falls in the fourth legislative district since 2021, announced that he intends to challenge Morinello as a Democrat in this year's election.

The 145th Assembly District covers the city of Niagara Falls, the towns of Cambria, Grand Island, Lewiston, Niagara, Porter and Wheatfield, part of North Tonawanda, and the Tuscarora Reservation. Morinello was first elected to represent the district in 2016.

Elder, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said in a Tuesday media release that he's getting into the race to "fight for hardworking families" who have been "neglected" by leaders in Albany "for too long."

"For almost a decade under the current representative, our region has sent more tax dollars to Albany than we get back," Elder said. "Angelo Morinello has failed to deliver on his campaign promises. It's time our tax dollars are reinvested in revitalizing and improving our community."

Elder enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from LaSalle Senior High School, and served as a crew member on Air Force One under Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Sgt. Elder logged more than 6,000 flying hours on various aircraft, including Air Force One. After a decorated career, Elder retired from the Air Force and spent a decade serving in the federal government at the Pentagon, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

After returning home to Niagara Falls, Elder was elected to the county legislature in 2021. In his media release, he touted his efforts to work with other lawmakers to lower the cost of gasoline in Niagara County, and stated he has "fought tirelessly" for programs to support veterans and youth in Niagara County while securing thousands in county funding for community organizations in Niagara Falls and organizing the city's Juneteenth Festival.

Elder described himself as an "independent voice" and a "common sense Democrat" who believes in "fighting for working families, supporting our police, and defending our democracy and freedoms, for all Americans," and defending "the reproductive rights of women."

"I have seen firsthand the decline in Niagara Falls and struggles of working families," Elder said. "Too many of our families are struggling to make ends meet and keep up with rising costs. More attention needs to be given to our children in providing more safe activities. We need to rebuild an economy that works for everybody by creating good paying jobs, fighting for fair wages, lowering the costs of healthcare, housing, childcare, and education and lowering the tax burden for our middle-class families."

Elder resides in Niagara Falls with his wife Vicki. He has two daughters, Brianna and Danielle, and four grandchildren, Gianna, Aiden, Giovanni and London.