BUFFALO, N.Y. (THE WORLD TELEGRAM NEWS) — Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick's political history spans decades of public service. Now seeking another term as comptroller, Hardwick sat down with The World Telegram News's Edvardi Jackson to reflect on his career and outline his goals for Erie County’s financial future.
In an extensive interview, Hardwick, 68, detailed a political career that began when he was elected to a school board at 18. His lifelong civic engagement was shaped by his father, a union president.
“Politics matters,” Hardwick emphasized, tracing his activism to the early 1970s. The moment that drew him to become interested in local governance came during a six-week teachers’ strike. By his senior year of high school, he was already serving as the student council’s representative to the Board of Education.
Hardwick’s public service résumé includes roles as a town board member, city councilman, county legislator, and now county comptroller. His path also included a notable party switch from Republican to Democrat in 2019.
The transition wasn’t without challenges. Hardwick cited the Republican Party’s shift during the Trump era as a key factor in his decision to change parties, describing it as a “hostile takeover” that clashed with his political principles.
“I would much rather work with others to get something done for everybody,” he said. “In the long run, that’s more productive, more beneficial.”
Currently balancing his role as comptroller with teaching political science at Canisius College, Hardwick says the position is as much about collaboration as it is about ensuring transparency and financial accountability.
His office’s responsibilities include conducting audits, including one that uncovered a $327,000 counterfeit check and employee embezzlement in the County Clerk’s office.
“One of the problems they had was that they didn’t have proper internal controls,” Hardwick said. “There was no segregation of duties. That means one person was doing everything, which meant no one was watching them.”
In response, Hardwick’s office advocated for structural changes, supporting the clerk’s request to add more accounting positions.
“We supported that request, and I think that they’re happy, and we’re happy,” he said. “The goal was to make the office more efficient, more effective, and certainly more accountable. I don’t anticipate anybody will be stealing any more money there anytime soon.”
“Respect is a huge part of good government,” Hardwick added. “Respect for the important work that government does, respect for public servants, and most of all, respect for taxpayers.”
Today, Hardwick says Erie County's financial outlook remains cautiously optimistic. He told The World Telegram News that he doesn’t anticipate major mid-year budget adjustments unless significant changes occur in federal funding.
Regarding Governor Hochul's budget, Hardwick was measured in his response. “I don't know that we were expecting more money. We're just happy that the cuts weren't more dramatic than they were.” His primary concern, he said, is potential cuts at the federal level.
“If holes are cut in the federal safety net, it’s going to eventually impact us here in Erie County. Those are people we’re going to have to take care of with local tax dollars. That could lead to tax hikes.”
Hardwick noted that sales tax revenues, which showed a 10% decline in January, have since rebounded. The county has budgeted conservatively by assuming no growth in sales tax.
“When there are surpluses, much of that money should be socked away into our fund balance,” he said. “Because you never know when it might start raining.”
Drawing on decades of experience and academic study, Hardwick applies political theory to real-world governance. During the interview, he pointed to George H.W. Bush as one of his political heroes.
He highlighted Bush’s actions during the 1992 lame-duck period after losing the presidential election to Bill Clinton. Hardwick praised Bush for sending U.S. troops on a humanitarian mission to Angola, providing food and medicine to people in need.
“He could have just packed it up and been bitter and said, ‘Screw it,’” Hardwick said. “But instead, he stepped up and did the right thing under circumstances that many of us would have said, ‘Hell with them.’”
Looking ahead, Hardwick outlined three priorities for a potential next term: continuing strategic investments to minimize property tax increases, maintaining rigorous audit practices, and ensuring a smooth transition for future county leadership.
“I’m not going to be comptroller forever,” he said. “I hope to have one more term, and after that, we’ll be handing it off to someone else.”
Hardwick’s political philosophy remains rooted in active participation. “Rather than sitting on the sidelines and heckling, I wanted to get involved,” he said. “I wanted to be the person with my bat in hand when the game was on the line.”
The full interview can be watched on YouTube, when it goes live at 3PM Wednesday afternoon.
Corrections or Adjustments:
- A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Kevin Hardwick’s age as 66. He is 68. (Thursday, June 5th – 8:48PM)
