Whyte

Erie County Legislator Maria Whyte received the nomination of Erie County Clerk, and her fellow legislator, Tom Mazur, stood down. So the Pax Democratica takes a step forward. But Cheektowaga’s Frank Max still wants to be chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party, even if it means a floor fight against his friend John Crangle, whom the peacemakers have anointed. Party operatives across the county are looking for signs of betrayal and double-dealing in who is carrying (or not carrying) petitions for whom.

The state party’s executive director, Charlie King, who brokered the peace on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo, was back in town this week to tie up the loose ends in this crazy quilt. Stay tuned.

—geoff kelly