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 | |
| Political party | Democratic (2018–present) |
| 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]
Early life and education
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
After moving to the City of Tonawanda in 1989, Hardwick served on the city's Charter Review Commission in 1995 and was elected First Ward Councilmember that same year. He was re-elected twice and served on the Tonawanda City Council through 2001.[8][9]
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]
Erie County Comptroller
In 2021, Hardwick ran for Erie County Comptroller and defeated Republican-endorsed Lynne Dixon. Local news outlets described him as a Republican-turned-Democrat in that race.[7][1] He succeeded Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. and took office on January 1, 2022.[1] He won re-election to a second term in 2025.[2]
Academic and media career
Alongside his political career, Hardwick has taught at Canisius and has been frequently used by Buffalo-area media as a political analyst. He also created and hosted Hardline with Kevin Hardwick, a weekly WBEN radio program on local politics.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Kevin Hardwick declares victory in race for Erie County comptroller". WKBW-TV. 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Hardwick wins county comptroller race, earns second term in office". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. 2025-11-05. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Previous Serving Legislators". Erie County Legislature. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Meeting No. 1, January 7, 2010" (PDF). Erie County Legislature. 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2020 Directory of Public Officials" (PDF). Erie County Board of Elections. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Hardwick to Caucus with Democrats; Republicans Displeased". Spectrum News 1. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Erie County comptroller will once again be a Democrat, as Hardwick defeats Dixon". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Hon. Kevin R. Hardwick, PhD". Erie County Comptroller. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Kevin Hardwick's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ "2023 Directory of Public Officials" (PDF). Erie County Board of Elections. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
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