Mark Poloncarz

First term (2012–2016)

During his first term, Poloncarz pursued initiatives focused on economic development,^[21][22][23] reorganizing the county's Industrial Development Agency,^[24] creating a Medicaid anti-fraud task force,^[25] and the revamping the Department of Social Services.^[26] His 2013 proposed budget increased the county tax levy and reduced county employment.^[27]

In 2013, Erie County, the state of New York, and the Buffalo Bills reached a 10-year lease extension at Ralph Wilson Stadium, which included approximately $130 million in capital improvements.^[28] Poloncarz also led the county's response to the November 13-21, 2014 North American winter storm commonly known as "Snowvember."^[29]

In August 2015, he signed legislation prohibiting the sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads, one of the first such bans in the United States.^[30] This was one of the first pieces of legislation banning microbeads in the country, and later that year the federal government passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015.

Poloncarz was re-elected in 2015, defeating Republican State Assemblyman Ray Walter with 65% of the vote.^[31]

Second term (2016–2019)

During his second term, Poloncarz was appointed to a joint task force of the National Association of Counties and the National League of Cities addressing heroin and opioid abuse.^[32] His administration also pursued policies related to fair housing,^[33] consumer protection,^[34] climate change,^[35] protections for LGBTQ minors,^[36] and reform of the Erie County Ethic laws.^[37]

In 2017, Erie County acquired 150 acres of the former Bethlehem Steel site, later expanded to form the Renaissance Commerce Park.^[38] In 2019, Poloncarz announced ErieNet, a county-owned fiber-optic broadband network intended to provide high-speed internet access countywide,^[39] and launched Live Well Erie, a county health and wellness initiative.^[40]

In September of 2019, Poloncarz published his first book Beyond the X's and O's: Keeping the Bills in Buffalo through SUNY Press. The book detailed the negotiations and discussions that led to the 2013 ten-year lease extension between Erie County, the State of New York and the Buffalo Bills.^[41]

Third term (2019–2023)

Poloncarz was re-elected to a third term in November 2019.^[42][43][44]

His third term was dominated by the COVID-19 Pandemic during which he declared a county state of emergency on March 15, 2020.^[45] The state of emergency lasted almost two years until Poloncarz rescinded it on March 5th, 2022.^[46] At the height of the pandemic, Poloncarz implemented a series of measures that closely aligned with the New York state government response to the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. At various times, Poloncarz and his health department were criticized for what was referred to as an overly aggressive approach.^[47]

As part of the county vaccination rollout, Poloncarz gained national attention for his "shot and a chaser" campaign, which provided drink coupons to individuals who received the Covid vaccine. Poloncarz was featured on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah.^[48] He also received widespread attention for his quarantine music video series "Songs for Friends," where he both played the guitar and sang covers of popular songs.^[49]

In the summer of 2020, Poloncarz was elected to the executive board of the National Association of Counties as the North East Regional Representative. His region included all counties from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and Maryland.^[50]

In March 2022, Erie County, New York State, and the Buffalo Bills announced an agreement to construct a new stadium with a 30-year lease, with Erie County committing $250 million and securing a community benefits agreement exceeding $100 million.^[51]

Poloncarz also led the county response to the May 2022 Buffalo shooting,^[52] and major winter storms in November and December 2022.^[53][54][55]

In November of 2023, Poloncarz made history by being the first Erie County Executive elected to serve a fourth term.^[56] He also announced he would not seek a fifth term.^[57]

Fourth term (2023–present)

During his fourth term, Poloncarz has focused on affordable housing, the establishment of a county historical commission, and the creation of Erie Corps, a youth employment program modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps.^[58]

In the spring of 2025, Poloncarz presented a full accounting of how Erie County invested its $178 million American Rescue Plan grant.^[59] The projects included major investments in sewer, parks, highway infrastructure, affordable housing, and creating a county wide high-speed fiberoptic broadband internet network known as Erie Net.^[59]