Democrat Mark Poloncarz was all smiles at his Cheektowaga campaign headquarters.

He pulled off what some thought was doubtful - beat an opponent who's been around the political game for years.

This is the 37 year old finance lawyer's first attempt at elected office.

He was up against former Buffalo city comptroller and State Supreme Court Justice Robert Whelan.

Many political experts picked Whelan as the man to beat. It turns out he was beatable.

Mark Poloncarz wins the Democratic primary for erie county comptroller, beating Whelan and fellow Democrat Richard Pawarski.

He says his campaign is about the future, not the past.

Poloncarz now advances to the November general election. He'll square off against Republican John Canavan.