© Jon Reis / www.jonreis.com

PENN YAN – It doesn’t appear there is going to be a primary in June for the region’s local congressional seat.

Candidate for the New York 23rd congressional district Tracy Mitrano (D-Penn Yan) has secured the Democratic party endorsement in the 2020 General Election, ensuring a rematch of the 2018 contest against  Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning).

Mitrano’s campaign reported on Monday that petitions were filed with the State Board of Elections in Albany on Friday and she had more than enough signatures to qualify as a Democratic candidate. She also received enough support to appear on both the Working Families Party and SAM Party lines.

The only other candidate who was seeking the Democratic endorsement was Ithaca Oral Surgeon Scott Noren. But he reportedly submitted his petitions with less signatures than what was needed to also qualify as a Democratic candidate and force a primary in June.

As a result, Mitrano will not have to run in a primary this year, unlike 2018, when she and four other Democrats all ran against each other for the party endorsement. Mitrano eventually won that primary but lost to Reed in the 2018 General Election by more than 20,000 votes, or a margin of 54 to 46%.

2019 Jamestown Mayoral Candidate Eddie Sundquist addresses the crowd during a March 8 campaign rally in Jamestown.

JAMESTOWN – The Democrat who wants to be the next Mayor of Jamestown held a campaign kickoff rally Friday in downtown Jamestown and was joined by dozens of supporters along with other Democratic candidates for local office.

Jamestown attorney and mayoral candidate Eddie Sundquist appeared at the DoubleTree by Hilton early Friday night to officially accept the Jamestown Democratic Committee’s endorsement for the 2019 General Election and also lay out his campaign platform.

Sundquist said he wants to tap into what made Jamestown great in the past to help it move forward in the future.

“As mayor it is my goal to build on our city’s strong foundation and grow our future as we move Jamestown forward. Jamestown is an incredible city built on a proud heritage of immigrants and union workers. We’re a city with grit, unyielding resilience, and incredible potential. But like most cities across New York, we are not without our challenges,” Sundquist said.

• WATCH THE FULL SUNDQUIST SPEECH ON FACEBOOK
• RELATED: EDDIE SUNDQUIST ON WRFA’S COMMUNITY MATTERS (Feb. 28, 2019)

One of the main planks of the Sundquist vision is growing the economy and he said to do that the city must take advantage of 21st century opportunities.

“Who says that we can’t become a technology hub attracting businesses around the country with our low cost of living and rich resources? Who says we can’t wire broadband and fiber to every home and business in this city at a lower cost? Who says we can’t have some of the best parks in Western New York? Together we are creating a city with a vision,” Sundquist said.

And Sundquist said that while attracting new opportunities is important, he said it’s just as important to focus on neighborhood and community revitalization.

“No matter where you live in this city you should feel safe when sitting on your front porch at night. We must have strong, safe, and supportive neighborhoods across our city,” Sundquist said. “We need to deal head-on with the growing addiction crisis and focus on fixing our homes across this area. As we start to tear down, we must also focus on rebuilding and getting people to stay in Jamestown. Proud home ownership, not run down rentals, is the vision we have for our neighborhoods.”

Sundquist added that his goal as mayor would be to build on collaborations within the city between residents and businesses, along with other stakeholders, in order to maximize potential opportunities.

Sundquist, who has not held public office before, has had past campaign experience. In the 2018 Election he ran an unsuccessful campaign when he was among a field of five hopefuls in the bid for the Democratic nomination for Congress (which instead went to Tracy Mitrano and who eventually lost to incumbent Republican Tom Reed). It was Sunduist’s first attempt at running for public office.

In addition to thanking Democrats for their support, Sundquist also announced he has received the endorsement of the Working Families Party in the city, ensuring he will have at least two lines on the November ballot.

Last month Mayor Sam Teresi (D) announced he wasn’t going to seek a sixth term in office, which opened the door for Sundquist.

Sundquist will likely be unchallenged for the Democratic nomination, which means he will be able to focus most of his attention on the November Election. The same can’t be said for the Republican party, where two individuals are vying for the party nomination and will likely square off in a June Primary. They are the Jamestown Republican Committee’s endorsed candidate – county legislator David Wilfong, along with first-term city coucilman at large Andrew Liuzzo.

Also during the rally, several other Democratic candidates for other city offices also spoke to those in attendance, including newcomers who used the event as an opportunity to introduce themselves.  They included at Jamestown City Council Large Candidate Taylor Scott, Ward 1 candidate Tim Smeal, and Ward 2 candidate Tom Vitale. Also on hand were incumbent councilmembers Vickye James of Ward 3, Tom Nelson of Ward 6, and Tamu Graham Reinhardt for council at large.

Former council president Greg Rabb, who was not reelected in 2017, is also seeking to be reelected to the council for the third at large seat.
Both Democratic incumbents Marie Carrubba of Ward 4 and Maria Jones of Ward 5 were unable to attend due to prior commitments.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his 2019 agenda on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo laid out his agenda for the first 100 days of 2019 during a wide-ranging speech Monday in Manhattan, where he vowed to set New York on a progressive course that he says would make President Franklin Roosevelt proud.

Cuomo laid out dozens of measures he says he will push at the start of his third term, which begins Jan. 1.  He called it his “Justice Agenda” and likened it to a Declaration of Independence for New York.

His agenda includes making the state property-tax cap law permanent. It is set to expire in 2020. He also wants to extend a higher tax on the state’s top earners, something that is a consistent topic of debate at the Capitol.

The president also called for bolstering abortion rights, implementing the state DREAM Act, legalizing recreational marijuana, and approving the Child Victims Act – which would extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse crimes and open up a one-year window to revive previously timed-out claims.

In addition, Cuomo vowed to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act – Also known as GENDA – which would provide protections for those who are transgender and add gender identity to the state’s hate crime and human rights laws. And he also vowed to put a legal end to conversion therapy in New York.

And with Democrats in control of both legislative chambers, Cuomo has vowed to bolster the state’s gun-control laws. Specifically, Cuomo has pointed to three different measures he’d like to see become law. One would officially ban bump stocks, the second would expand the wait period for gun-seekers flagged by the national background check database, and the third bill, known as the Red Flag Bill, would allow family members or school officials to petition a judge to block someone from owning a gun if the person is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

The governor also said he will push to enact reforms in the state’s criminal-justice system – starting with ending cash bail, saying it discriminates against lower-income defendants.

And Cuomo said he’s going to push for a number of reforms to make it easier to vote in New York, including making Election Day a state holiday.

Cuomo also vowed to push for automatic voter registration, early and mail-in voting and aligning the state and federal primaries, which are currently held on different days.

The agenda comes in advance of the governor working for the first time with a fully Democrat-controlled Legislature, following the Republicans losing control of the State Senate following the 2018 General Election.

A couple of local officials commented on the governor’s progressive agenda.

Former Jamestown City Council President and current Chair of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Gregory Rabb said that he was particularly pleased to see GENDA and the end of conversion therapy on the governor’s list of priorities.  Rabb – who was the first openly gay elected official in upstate New York – said he’s spent a good part of his advocating for the LGBTQ community and as he approaches retirement, he said it’s exciting to see the Governor’s commitment to the cause of human rights for all residents in the State.

Chautauqua County Democratic Election Commissioner Norman Green also provided a statement on the Governor’s Agenda, saying he’s in full support of reforming New York’s antiquated election laws that are disenfranchising voters.

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WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample talks with Sen. Catherine Young (R-Olean) about her recent reelection to the New York State Senate, the GOP losing control of the Senate as a result of the 2018 Elections, the proposal by a state committee to increase legislators’ salaries, and what to expect from Albany during the new year now that Democrats hold control of both legislative chambers as well as the governor’s office.

Senator Catherine Young (R-Olean)

After two years of being blocked by the White House, Republican Leadership, and The Trump Organization at every turn, Democrats hope the new year will provide sunshine on such issues as foreign government spending at Trump properties, Trump’s foreign licensing deals, Trump administration ties to lobbyists and special interests, and spending by Trump’s charitable foundation.

Maryland congressman Elijah Cummings, a Democrat, is poised to take charge of the House Oversight Committee, which could seek Trump’s business tax returns and other company-related financial records.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s personal income taxes, which he withheld during the 2016 campaign and in his two years in office, are expected to be the purview of the House Ways and Means Committee because Internal Revenue Service law allows House and Senate tax-writing committees to request federal returns. Ranking Ways and Means Democrat, Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, has signaled publicly he would ask for them — a move the White House might fight.

Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress, Tom Reed (R-Corning) won reelection this week and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. WRFA asked him his thoughts about the subpoena power the Democrats will have in the House now that they are in power.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

“Having oversight an investigative oversight in the house is appropriate. If they’re investigating legitimate concerns and not playing politics, hopefully that’s the course that they will pursue,” Reed said. “What I’m very concerned about is if they turn this into a political circus and they use it for political point scoring, all of a sudden that’s going to add to an even more difficult environment in DC to get things done.”

Reed also commented on House leadership and who the new speaker would be. Many speculate that person will be former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but Reed says that’s not a given.

“Looking at the candidates and the members on the other side of the aisle that have stated publicly they do not want to see Nancy Pelosi as speaker, I think with a ten-seat majority that is going to be very difficult for her to have the votes on the floor of the House,” Reed said. “I don’t know how 40-50 people running for office  on the Democratic side saying they would not support Nancy Pelosi and that they need new leadership for speaker can then turn their backs on their word to their constituents and vote for Nancy Pelosi. So I think they are going to have a contentious battle over there but at the end of the day, I’m willing to work with anybody who’s willing to reform these rules and start legislating. So let’s see who steps forward and hopefully it’s a breath of fresh air on the Democratic side.”

Reed, who is co-chair of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, is referring to proposed rules changes that group brought forward in July that it says will reward openness and transparency, encourage a willingness to reach across the aisle, create debate on divisive issues, and empower lawmakers to find real solutions concerning our nation’s most pressing matters. The package includes — among others — proposals to give fast-track priority consideration to bipartisan legislation and guarantees markups on bipartisan legislation from every Member of Congress.

As for alternatives to Pelosi, Reed said  he would support Democrat Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who currently serves as the House minority whip and has voiced support for the rules changes brought forward by the Problem Solvers.

The next session of Congress, which begins in January 2019, will mark the first extended period of time Reed has been part of the minority party since first being elected in 2010, when Republicans took control of the House as part of that year’s Mid-Term elections.

Candidate Tracy Mitrano held her final conference call with regional media on Wednesday morning, taking time to thank all the supporters who helped her during her run for office, as well as reflect on her campaign, which began over a year earlier and included a competitive primary race against four other Democrats, as well as the campaign against congressman Reed.

Mitrano says anyone wanting to run should begin their effort as soon as possible to build support from within the district. But in addition, she said hiring a PR person or firm is something that will be needed.

“In three debates, I couldn’t engage with Mr. Reed in any reasonable conversation about policy whatsoever. And obviously he has been successful in running a campaign that is about division. That traffics in antagonism and that grossly mischaracterized me and my positions,” Mitrano said. “I do think it would take professional public relations to know how – and right at the start – to be able to move in the direction that would automatically, throughout the course of a campaign, know how to counter those types of attacks.”

Mitrano said that she was mischaracterized by the Reed campaign throughout the race, especially when it comes to the issue of heroin injection sites, claiming she was asked that question early in the campaign by someone who was involved with the Reed campaign in an effort to get her to say something that could be used against her.  Mitrano added that she never made heroin injection sites part of her campaign platform, but did say that when it comes to addressing overdoses and death caused by the opioid epidemic, all options need to be on the table for discussion and even consideration.

Mitrano also didn’t rule out an effort in the future to seek office again. She said for the short term she will is looking forward to spending time with her family, which includes her son’s upcoming wedding, as well as pursuing any professional opportunities that may unfold in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Reed announced Wednesday that he plans to retire the “Extreme Ithaca Liberal” label his campaign has been using for the past few elections against his Democratic opponents.

Though a majority of his opponents have not resided in Ithaca, known for its liberal ideologies, Reed has used the “extreme” line in his last three general elections. Reed said he decided to retire the label after listening to his constituents.

Reed won more than 53 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s general election.

James Quattrone

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County will have a new Sheriff beginning in 2019. Republican Challenger James Quattrone defeated Democratic Incumbent Joseph Gerace on Tuesday, marking an end to Gerace’s 25-year reign as sheriff.

Quattrone received an unofficial total of 22,114 votes (53.6 percent) on election night, more than enough to defeat Gerace, who received 19,126 votes (46.33).  Not counting absentee or affidavit ballots, a total of 41270 county residents (54 percent of registered voters in the county) participated in Tuesday’s election.

For Gerace it is the end of an era spanning an estimated 40 years.  He joined the sheriff’s office as a deputy in 1979 and was first elected sheriff in a special election in 1994 to fill the final year of Sheriff John Bentley’s term, following his death. Gerace was reelected in six subsequent elections, serving a total of 25 years as the top law enforcement officer of the county.

In his concession speech Tuesday night, Gerace thanked his supporters and said he would do what he could to help Quattrone transition to new sheriff.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace

We worked very diligently but the voters of the county have spoken. That’s part of what it is to be sheriff – you are the only publicly elected law enforcement official in the country. It’s the ‘people’s lawman’ and the people have chosen somebody else,” Gerace said. “I’m going to walk out with my head high because I’ve done a lot for this county. I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to public service and I’m not going away… I’ll be doing whatever I can to help with the transition.”

Quattrone is a former lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Office. He ran on a platform of improving intermunicipal cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the county, especially when it comes to investigating illegal drug activity. He was critical of the sheriff’s office under Gerace’s watch for not being able to unite local law enforcement, with there being two separate drug enforcement agencies (The SOuthern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force) operating in the county. Gerace, meanwhile, had said the second agency started as a decision by officials in Jamestown and wasn’t based on a decision he had made.  Quattrone also said he wanted to reduce spending in the county jail while also increasing morale for employees who work there.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support, the community support, the support from my family and friends, but really the voters of Chautauqua County were ready for a change — ready for a positive move forward, and I’m looking forward to working with the other police agencies cooperatively,” Quattrone is quoted as saying in his victory speech Tuesday night.

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WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample gives an election night news update for the 11 p.m. hour. Featuring comments from Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace, who lost reelection, and BOE commissioner Norman Green.

Tom Reed and Tracy Mitrano

CORNING – Republican Congressman Tom Reed has been reelected to his fifth term in Office. The former mayor of Corning, NY who was first elected to congress in 2010, held off Democratic Challenger Tracy Mitrano of Penn Yann with a margin of victory 122,881 votes (53.8 percent) to 100,495 votes (44 percent).

More than 228,000 voters turned on election day in 2018 to vote on the representative for New York’s 23rd Congressional District – about a 16 percent improvement over the total number of voters who showed up in the last midterm election of 2014.  That year, Reed received nearly 58 percent of the total vote while his opponent that year, Democrat Martha Robertson of Tompkins County, picked up just 36 percent.

Of the 11 counties that are part of the 23rd District, Chautauqua County has the highest number of registered voters with just under 76,0000. Of those voters, 41,270 turned on out on Election Day this year to vote, with 24,134 (59 percent) choosing Reed, while 16,579 (41 percent) voted for Mitrano.

But as Reed celebrated his most recent victory, he’ll do so knowing that he and other House Republicans will be in the minority starting in January. All major news outlets have reported that Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years, dealing a major setback to President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda and giving fresh hope to liberals who want to investigate and perhaps even impeach the president.

County Election Commissioners Norman Green and Brian Abram announce there is a total of 75,930 active registered voters in Chautauqua County who are eligible to cast ballots in the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election. There are 24,944 registered Democrats and 25,590 Republicans.

Hours to Vote? Polls are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The busiest times to avoid will be 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Noon to 1 p.m. and in the evening during the dinner hour.  All county poll sites will be open.   Voters who have not moved will vote at the same site as last year.

Eligibility to Vote: Any Chautauqua County citizen at least age 18 the date of the General Election who has previously registered with the Board of Elections and has not moved is eligible to vote and will be included in the poll books.

Is it too late to register to vote?  The last day to register to vote was Friday Oct. 12th.  However, voters should check their voter status by visiting www.votechautauqua.com  and click on “Personal Voter Lookup” to access their current voting record or they should call the Board of Elections at 716-753-4580.

What if the “Personal Voter Lookup” info says you are an “inactive” voter?   Any voter who has previously registered to vote and is now “Inactive” due to the Board of Elections sent mail having been returned by the U.S. Post Office, should plan to vote by “Provisional Affidavit Ballot” on Election Day at the poll site assigned to service the voter’s current Election Day residence.

Moved? A registered voter who has moved within the county and who has failed to notify the Board of Elections must go to their new polling place and fill out a provisional affidavit ballot that will be counted along with the absentees, once the voter is proven to be eligible.

Will any voter be turned away from the polls on Election Day? No voter with a residence in Chautauqua County will be turned away from a poll site assigned to service that voter.  All voters within any county election district will be either provided an opportunity to sign in the poll book of registered voters where the election inspector finds the voters name, or the voter will be provided a “Provisional Affidavit Ballot”.  The provisional ballot will be researched after the election and if the voter is found to be eligible, the voter’s provisional ballot will be opened, votes counted and votes will be added to the Election Day totals.  Following the election, the “Provisional Affidavit Ballot” voter will be notified if their ballot was counted and will also be notified that the Board of Elections has update their voter registration and/or registered the voter for future elections.

How to see a sample of the ballot? Visit www.votechautauqua.com  and click on “Sample Ballots” to view the Election Day ballot.

Who is on the Ballot? Candidates on the 2018 ballot have been nominated by ten different statewide political parties including Democratic (DEM), Republican (REP), Conservative (CON), Green (GRE), Working Families (WOR), Independence (IND), Women’s Equality (WEP), Reform (REF), Serve America Movement (SAM) and Libertarian (LBT).

ELECTIONS THAT HAVE MORE THAN ONE CANDIDATE FOR EACH OFFICE

2018 Candidates for Governor: (Clockwise from upper left) Andrew Cuomo, Howie Hawkins, Stephanie Miner, Larry Sharpe, Cynthia Nixon (was working families candidate but withdrew from race following loss of Democratic primary), and Marc Molinaro.

NYS Governor and Lieutenant Governor:

• Andrew M Cuomo and Kathy C Hochul (DEM-WOR-IND-WEP)
• Marc Molinaro and Julie Killian (REP-CON-REF)
• Howie Hawkins and Jia Lee (GRE)
• Stephanie A Miner and Michael J Volpe (SAM)
• Larry Sharpe and Andrew C Hollister (LBT)

NYS Comptroller:

• Thomas P DiNapoli (DEM-WOR-IND-WEP-REF)
• Jonathan Trichter (REP-CON)
• Mark Dunlea (GRE)
• Cruger E Gallaudet (LBT)

NYS Attorney General:

• Letitia A James (DEM-WOR-IND)
• Keith Wofford (REP-CON);
• Michael Sussman (GRE)
• Christopher B Garvey (LBT)
• Nancy Sliwa (REF)

United States Senator:

• Kirsten E Gillibrand (DEM-WOR-IND-WEP)
• Chele Chiavacci Farley (REP-CON-REF);

Tracy Mitrano and Tom Reed

NYS 8^th Judicial District State Supreme Court Justice:

(Vote for any Two)     

• Paula L Feroleto (DEM-REP-CON);
• John M Curran (DEM-REP-CON)

Representative in Congress 23rd District:   

• Tracy Mitrano (DEM-WOR-WEP)
• Thomas W Reed II (REP-CON-IND)

Member of NYS Assembly 150th District:

• Judith S Einach (DEM-WOR-WEP)
• Andrew Goodell (REP-CON-IND)

Judith Einach and Andrew Goodell

County Sheriff:

• Joseph A Gerace (DEM-WOR-IND)
• James B Quattrone (REP-CON)

Portland Town Justice:

(Vote for any Two)

• Thomas S DeJoe (DEM-GRE-WOR-IND
• Michelle L Patterson (DEM-GRE-WOR)
• Daniel R Thompson (REP-CON-IND)

Ripley Town Justice: 

• John Hamels (DEM-GRE-WOR-IND)
• Lawrence M Freligh (REP-CON)

Chautauqua County Sheriff’s candidates Joseph Gerace (incument, left) and James Quattrone pause for a friendly photo with one another following their Meet the Candidates forum on Tuesday night at JCC.

Villenova Town Council – Vacancy:

• John Dudley Robinson Sr (DEM)
• Yvonne M Park (REP)

Mayville Village Mayor:

• Ken Shearer Jr (DEM)
• Richard Syper (REP)

Mayville Village Trustee:

(Vote for any Two)

• Tim Jacobson (DEM)
• Diane Seaton (DEM)
• Eagle Harrington (REP)
• Martin Murphy (REP)
• Bill Ward (Write In)

ELECTIONS THAT HAVE ONLY ONE CANDIDATE FOR EACH OFFICE: 

NY State Senate 57th District:

• Catharine M Young (REP-CON-IND-REF)

Busti Town Justice:

• Lyle T Hajdu (REP)

Clymer Town Clerk – Vacancy:         

• Stephanie M Bailey (REP)

North Harmony Town Supervisor – Vacancy:

• Robert E Yates (REP)

North Harmony Town Council – Vacancy:

• Steven W Senske (DEM)

Pomfret Town Highway Superintendent – Vacancy:

• Jude A Gardner (DEM-REP-CON-WOR)

Pomfret Town Justice:

• Anthony J Pulci (REP-CON-IND)

Sherman Town Justice:

• Douglas A Neal (REP)

Villenova Town Justice:

• Ronald Lucas (DEM-REP)

Bemus Point Village Trustee:

(Vote for any Two)

• Theodore W Farnham (REP)
• David I Lipsey (REP)

Celoron Village Trustee:

(Vote for any Two)

• Kate Burnett (DEM)
• Norm Mattison (DEM)

Panama Village Mayor:

• William F Schneider (PAN)

Panama Village Trustee:

Jonathan G Weston (PAN)

Silver Creek Village Trustee:

(Vote for any Two)

• Marv Cummings (DEM-REP-CON)
• John Burt (DEM-REP-CON)

Where to see election results?   www.votechautauqua.com election night results starting at about 9:15 p.m.