Don Williams

Dunkirk city Democrats have decided to go a different direction when it comes to the First Ward council seat that will likely lead to a primary.

Incumbent Councilman Don Williams Jr. expressed disappointment over a party “power struggle” after newcomer Natalie Luczkowiak won the party’s backing. “I guess the mayor and the party leader decided that they didn’t like me asking questions, that made the mayor uncomfortable, so they found somebody else to endorse,” Williams told the OBSERVER on Thursday. “My feelings are that I’ve served the residents of the city of Dunkirk and done what they’ve asked me to do and I’m going to be circulating petitions to be in the primary and we’ll let all the registered Democratic voters in the city decide who’s actually going to get the line for the general election.”

Complete coverage in Friday’s edition.