Leading by Example, Not

Jon Powers wants to go to Congress and fill the House seat being vacated by Tom Reynolds.  Thus far, six of the seven county Democratic committees in the 26th district have endorsed Powers, Erie County being the lone holdout.

Powers, who is still in his twenties, served  in Iraq and is trying to use his military experience, like many men before him, as a springboard into high public office.   His campaign slogan is  "Leading by Example."

Powers' campaign, which up until this point had been going  swimmingly, hit a pothole this week when it was revealed that Powers has been using campaign funds to help pay the rent on his apartment in Buffalo.  This is a violation of federal election laws. 

Powers promised to repay the money, $4000 in total, "immediately," said his campaign manager John Gerken.

Here's what the Water Buffalo Press blog has to say about the mess: "Worst case scenario is that Powers is using campaign funds for personal gain, best case is that the campaign management is completely inept."

Alice Kryzan, who along with Jack Davis, is also seeking the Democratic nomination for the House seat, said in the Buffalo News today that she found Powers' actions "terribly, terribly disappointing."