Kevin R. Hardwick
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Kevin Hardwick | |
|---|---|
| Erie County Comptroller | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. |
| Member of the Erie County Legislature from the 4th district | |
| In office January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Walter |
| Succeeded by | John A. Bargnesi Jr. |
| Member of the Erie County Legislature from the 10th district | |
| In office January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Michele M. Iannello |
| Succeeded by | Joseph C. Lorigo |
| Member of the Tonawanda City Council from the 1st Ward | |
| In office January 1, 1996 – December 31, 2001 | |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic (2018–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (until 2018) |
| Alma mater | Binghamton University |
| Occupation | Politician, academic |
Kevin R. Hardwick is an American politician, academic, and former radio host from Tonawanda, New York. He has served as Erie County Comptroller since 2022 and was re-elected in 2025.[1][2] He previously served in the Erie County Legislature from 2010 to 2021, first from the 10th district and later from the 4th district.[3][4][5] Originally elected as a Republican, Hardwick left the Republican conference in 2018 and later became a Democrat.[6][7]
Hardwick earned a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He later joined the faculty of Canisius College in Buffalo, where he taught political science and urban studies.[8]
Early public service
Hardwick's political career began in the Binghamton area. Public biographies identify him as a member of the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education from 1975 to 1978, followed by service as a councilman in the Town of Binghamton from 1978 to 1986.[9][8] In 1986, he became administrative assistant to Warren M. Anderson, then majority leader of the New York State Senate.[8]
City of Tonawanda politics
Erie County Legislature
Hardwick was elected to the Erie County Legislature in 2009 and took office in January 2010 as the legislator for the 10th district.[4][3] After redistricting and downsizing of the legislature, he represented the 4th district from 2012 through 2021.[5][3] He was succeeded in the 4th district by John A. Bargnesi Jr..[10]
In December 2018, Hardwick announced that he was leaving the Republican minority conference in the legislature, saying he wanted to work in a caucus where compromise was possible. Local reporting described the move as a break with the Republican conference after years of cross-party voting.[6]