CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. -- Turn on a television in Western New York and there's a good chance you'll see a political advertisement about the 143rd state Assembly District.

According to Federal Communications Commission political files, incumbent Democrat Monica Wallace has spent roughly $270,000 on ad buys from the three network affiliates.

"People don't care which side of the aisle a good idea comes from," Wallace said in her commercial. "They just want results."

Wallace's opponent, Republican Pat Chludzinski, has spent nearly $325,000 over the same period.

Political strategist Jack O'Donnell said it's rare an Assembly race is so prevalent.

"Those are astonishing amounts of money. Over half a million dollars on an Assembly race in Erie County, it really is a lot," he said.

O'Donnell believes there are several reasons for the development. Cheektowaga, which is part of the district, has a reputation for unique politics, close races and an electorate that fluctuates between parties.

"Democrats seem to think they're ahead by a few points, Republicans seem to think they're ahead by a few points. Both sides have polling to back up those beliefs," O'Donnell said.

The town is also where New York City bused several hundred migrants to live in hotels last year. The issue has remained controversial and is a key part of Chludzinki's attack ad against Wallace.

"This is how it works. Kathy Hochul can't pass anything without Assembly 'yes' votes," the commercial starts. "Busing illegals to Cheektowaga? Monica Wallace said 'yes.'"

Neither Wallace nor the governor was directly responsible for bringing migrants to the area. That was an agreement between New York City, contractor DocGo and the hotels.

To support its claim, in fine print, the ad references a May 2023 Wallace tweet in which she expresses support for Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's decision not to declare a state of emergency prohibiting such contracts.

"While the ad, I think is disingenuous, at the same time, Democrats have to answer for what's happening in New York state," O'Donnell said.

He said Republican candidates in other areas, including the Capital Region, are also focusing on the migrant crisis. But he said there are few districts like the 143rd.

"The reality is there are so few competitive races and that's why I think this one is getting the attention, it's getting the money and that's why they're picking up on those national issues to try to use them to motivate their voters," he said.