B. John Tutuska (December 4, 1911 – July 30, 1993) was the second county executive in Erie County, New York, serving from 1969 to 1971. The Depew, New York-born Tutuska succeeded Edward C. Rath in 1969 after Rath died in office. Prior to being appointed county executive, Tutuska served as Erie County Sheriff from 1959 to 1969.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

Tutuska defeated then Common Council member Stanley M. Makowski, future mayor of Buffalo, New York in a special election held on November 4, 1969, 55% - 45%. During that election, a major campaign issue was the claim by Makowski that Tutuska was responsible for the failed Buffalo Bills domed stadium project. Tutuska was the endorsed GOP candidate for reelection in 1971 when he suffered a heart attack.^{[citation needed]} While he was recuperating from his heart attack he was challenged to a primary election by Ned Regan. Rather than run in the primary, he withdrew from the race and the GOP nomination went to Regan, who subsequently defeated Frank A. Sedita, mayor of Buffalo, in the general election.^{[citation needed] [1][2]}