“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” 
-Apple, Inc.

So, what's the rule to run for office in Erie County? You have to have the blessing of one of the major parties? Your father had to have been a judge, Councilman, or Dogcatcher? None of the above. The system works best when regular people throw themselves into the fray.

Did you ever notice how crazy the career politicians get when challenged by non-politicians with nothing to lose? It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's great and usually pretty entertaining...