Election Day 2013 Has Arrived

Today is Election Day across the country, and voters in Chautauqua County will be heading to the polls to decide on Several key races. Polls are open from now until 9 p.m. WRFA will be providing updates tonight on Facebook and will also have a post-election update at 11 p.m.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE

In the county-wide races, residents will be selecting the county’s next county executive. Earlier this year, County Executive Greg Edwards announced he would not be seeking a third term in office. As a result, there will be a new county executive sworn into office come January 1, 2014. The Republican Candidates for the position is Vince Horrigan from Bemus Point. The Democratic Candidate is Fredonia’s Ron Johnson.

OTHER COUNTYWIDE RACES

The other contested countywide race is for the open seat of the county clerk. In that race, Jamestown Democrat Lori Cornell is facing Gerry Republican Larry Barmore.

There is also an election for District Attorney, but incumbent David Foley of Fredonia is running unopposed.

Voters throughout the county will also be selecting the candidate for Supreme Court Justice. The candidates are Mark Montour (D, C, WF) and Paul Wojtaszek (R, I).

COUNTY LEGISLATURE RACES

In addition to the countywide offices, voters will also be selecting their representative in the recently downsized county legislature. Starting in 2014, the size of the legislature will be only 19 seats – which is six fewer than the current cont of 25. Of the 19 seats, 10 will be contested:

District 1: Keith Ahlstrom (D,WF-Dunkirk)
District 2: Sean Heenen (D-Dunkirk)
District 3: Bob Scudder (R,C-Fredonia); Billy Coughlin (D,WF,I-Fredonia)
District 4: Janet Keefe (D,WF,I-Fredonia); Michael Sullivan (R, C-Fredonia)
District 5: Susan Baldwin (D-South Dayton); Terry Niebel (R,C,I-Dunkirk)
District 6: George Borello (R,C,I-Irving)
District 7: John Runkle (R,C,I-Stockton); Tom DeJoe (D,WF-Brocton)
District 8: Pierre Chagnon (R,C-Bemus Point)
District 9: Chuck Nazarro (D,I-Jamestown)
District 10: P.J. Wendell (R,C-Lakewood); Sharon Lisciandro (D,I-Lakewood)
District 11: Dave Wilfong (R,C-Jamestown); Bob Whitney (D,WF,I-Jamestown)
District 12: William Prieto (R,C-Jamestown); Fred Larson (D,I-Jamestown)
District 13: Paula DeJoy, (D,I) Jamestown
District 14: Mark Tarbrake (R,C,I-Jamestown)
District 15: Lisa Vanstrom (R,I-West Ellicott); Sam Ognibene (D,C-Falconer)
District 16: Ron Lemon (R,C-Frewburg); Tom Erlandson (D,I-Frewsburg)
District 17: Jay Gould (R,C-Ashville)
District 18: David Himelein (R,C,I-Findley Lake); Ed Carutis (D,WF-Sherman)
District 19: John Hemmer (R,C,I-Westfield)

JAMESTOWN CITY COUNCIL HAS THREE CONTESTED RACES

Voters in Jamestown will also be selecting members of the city council. Six members of the council are running unopposed for reelection. They are:

Ward II: Anthony Dolce (R,C,I)
Ward V: Maria Jones (D)
Ward VI: Paul Whitford (D,WF,I)
At Large: Kimberly Ecklund (R,C,I); Gregory Rabb (D,WF,I); George Spitale (D,WF,I)

There will also be three contested races: