The primary campaign currently underway in Buffalo’s Delaware district for the seat held by Michael LoCurto would appear to be between LoCurto and political newcomer Jessica Maglietto. But in politics things are often not what they seem. Maglietto’s name is on the ballot and her picture is on a huge and very expensive billboard near Gates Circle, but LoCurto’s real opponent is Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

Last Friday this fall’s aspirants to elected office—most of them anyhow—filed their latest campaign finance disclosure forms, detailing contributions received and expenditures made since their last filings in mid July. It is shaping up to be an expensive election season in Western New York, in large part because the open race for county executive is drawing out big donors. Democrats Paul Clark and Jim Keane each have generated substantial amounts of cash for their campaigns (though a substantial chunk of Clark’s money is his own), and Republican Chris Collins is no slouch as a fund-raiser, either.