BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Primary day across New York state has come and gone, and in Erie County it was marked by notably lackluster turnout, even on a day where voters don't show up in force at the polls.

A pivotal Buffalo-area contest was the Democratic nomination for Erie County District Attorney, where John Flynn, the party's endorsed candidate, appears to have defeated Acting District Attorney Michael Flaherty and former assistant DA Mark Sacha.

This week's announcement of an arrest in the fatal shooting at Anchor Bar four months ago became campaign fodder, with Flaherty's competition both asserting the announcement one day before the primaries was used as a political ploy.

Flaherty says he's proud of the work he's done in his nine months as the county's top prosecutor, but regrets he didn't get to follow through with several programs he launched.  

"For example, public integrity units, our community outreach program. These are little programs or projects which are still in their infancy. They're still only eight months old, but we've been showing a lot of progress. It just never had real chance or time to germinate," said Flaherty.  

Flaherty says he hasn't decided what he'll do after his time as district attorney ends.

In the Conservative Primary for that race, Joseph Treanor appears to have defeated Flynn. Treanor will also appear on the Republican line in November.

Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs has declared victory in the Republican Primary for the 60th state Senate District, which was left open by the departing Marc Panepinto. He defeated Kevin Stocker, who won the Republican primary last time around in the race. 

In the Democratic primary, newcomer Amber Small defeated former state senator Al Coppola. Coppola says he is now retiring from public service.

UB law professor Monica Wallace has defeated former Assembly staffer Kristy Mazurek in the Democratic primary in the 143rd Assembly District. The seat opened after Assemblywoman Angela Wozniak announced she wasn't seeking re-election after admitting to having an affair with a staffer.