The candidates for the State Senate 57th District 2019 special election, Austin Morgan (far left) and George Borrello (right).

JAMESTOWN – The candidates for Jamestown Mayor and New York State Senate were at Jamestown Community College Tuesday night to take part in a meet the candidates forum, presented by the Chautauqua League of Women Voters, AAUW, and the Jamestown Community College Political Science Department.

• RELATED: LISTEN TO THE LOWV JAMESTOWN MAYORAL FORUM 

Candidates for New York State Senate are George Borrello (R) and Austin Morgan (D) traded jabs in their own scheduled debate prior to the special election to fill the seat of former Sen. Cathy Young – who resigned from her post earlier this year to take a job with Cornell University.

Morgan – the Democratic Candidate and recent Cornell University graduate from the town of Freedom in Cattaruagus County – spent much of the debate pointing out Borrello’s willingness to be critical of the Democrats who are in control of Albany. He Borrello’s persistent criticism of lawmakers from across the aisle wont do the district any favors, adding that residents will only benefit if they send a moderate Democrat to Albany to represent them.

“There is a clear and real choice in this election. We can elect my opponent, who, with his vitriol, has already made enemies in Albany and shown how he will be ineffective. Or we can send a rural Democrat. Someone to the majority who can make sure our district gets the attention, legislation, and funding that it deserves,” Morgan said.

Borrello – a Republican who currently serves as Chautauqua County Executive – said he’s not going to back down from speaking out against what he believes is an extreme, radical agenda from the state capital. He also said that because of his business experience and public service, he is well positioned to represent local residents.

“I have unique qualifications and experience. The combination of being a local business owner who, everyday, carries in my heart how difficult and challenging it is to do business in New York State. And also as the chief executive officer of Chautauqua County, knowing how challenging it is to deal with the laws, the regulations, and unfunded mandates and that’s what I’ll bring to Albany to represent everyone as your next state senator,” Borrello said.

The 57th Senate District includes all of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties – along with a portion of Livingston County.

The complete forum with Borrello and Morgan will be featured on WRFA’s Community Matters program this Thursday at 5 p.m., with an encore on Friday at 2 p.m. and also Sunday at noon. It will also be posted on the WRFA website later this week.