Democratic Committee Chair Willie Rosas, who assumed the duties as chair following the resignation of Norm Green, said the committee has started fielding candidates even though the redistricting of Assembly and Senate districts hasn’t been completed yet by the State Legislature.

Rosas stated that those who are interested should contact Democratic Committee Secretary Donna Karcz at CHQDEM@gmail.com.

The deadline for submissions, which might be moved depending upon the decisions regarding district lines, is February 14, 2022.

In addition to New York State Assembly and New York State Senate candidates, the Committee also will consider people interested in running in the redrawn congressional district and Chautauqua County Sheriff.

Luz Torres

The Chautauqua County Legislature unanimously approved the appointment of Luz Torres as the Democratic Election Commissioner. Torres was the original name submitted by the County Democratic Committee back in October 2020, but was never acted on by the Legislature. In April, the State Supreme Court invalidated the appointment of Loren Kent as Election Commissioner as he did not have the backing of the County Democratic Committee.

Jamestown Democrat and Legislature Minority Leader Chuck Nazzaro said while the Democratic caucus doesn’t agree with Judge Keane‘s decision, they decided not to appeal, “We decided it is in the best interest of the Democratic Party to move forward and start the healing process. The caucus still believes that the process used by Democratic County Committee to recommend an Election Commissioner was flawed and they did not use proper procedures.”

Fredonia Legislator Christine Starks said she received countless calls, emails and visits from people on this issue. She said as a legislator, she takes her role very seriously, “Each vote reflects what I think is best for the county as a whole. And it is a difficult task to bring a divided group together. My sincere hope is that we can move forward with integrity. I’ve always supported women in leadership and I hope you’ll join me in supporting Luz Torres.”

The Republican caucus voiced support for the Democratic caucus in moving forward while also praising Torres’ experience and expertise. Luz Torres has been serving as acting Democratic Election Commissioner since March when Norm Green retired.

Norm Green

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County’s Democratic Election Commissioner Norm Green announced his resignation from that position.

In a media release sent out late Thursday afternoon, Green announced he was resigning and that Deputy Democratic Election Commissioner Luz Torres will serve as acting commissioner until a replacement is formally instated.

Green planned to retire at the end of 2020, and Torres was nominated by the County Democratic Committee to replace Green last October, but that nomination was never acted on by the Chautauqua County Legislature.

Instead, the legislature’s Democratic caucus nominated its own commissioner, Loren Kent, in March and it was a was approved by the full legislature by a vote of 16 to 3.

But both Torres and Green have filed a lawsuit against that nomination, calling it a violation of state law. As a result, the vote for Kent can not be certified by the legislature clerk until after the lawsuit is settled in State Supreme Court.

“I absolutely continue to support Luz to replace me,” said Green. “As a Democrat, I work for diversity at all levels. It is exciting to think about having the first ever Hispanic department head taking over from me. Luz has been training for this job for the last three years and the plan has been for her to take over from me. She is an experienced manager, has helped to administer budgets and is fully trained by the state to be an election commissioner.”

As for his time at the Board of elections, Green said a lot has been accomplished during the time he’s worked at the Board of Elections.

“We’ve accomplished much at the Board of Elections over the past 22 years and the credit must be given to our full time staff of six and, numerous seasonal part timers and the nearly 600 poll workers who deliver democracy one or two days a year at our poll sites. While many, many election boards in the state and nation have admittedly failed, we have delivered world-class elections in our county and have done so with a twelve year near flat budget. Republican Election Commissioner Brian Abram has been the greatest partner in our joint bi-partisan efforts and we part as personal family friends,” Green said.

Current Chautauqua County Democratic Election Commissioner and Chautauqua County Democratic Committee Chair Norman Green joins us on Community Matters. Green talks about why he filed a lawsuit against the County Legislature to prevent the appointment of a new election commissioner, and he’ll also discuss the concerns and allegations that have come forward by some members of the Democratic Party against him and other party leadership.

Norm Green

County lawmakers opted not to act on the recommendation from the County Democratic Committee’s Executive Committee to reappoint Norman Green as election commission. As a result, the full County Democratic Committee will have to meet and find a new recommendation to bring before the legislature.

In the meantime, Green will remain at his post until a new recommendation comes forward and is acted on by the legislature.

In October, the county democratic committee recommended Assistant Democratic Election Commission Luz Torres be appointed to replace the Green. However, the legislature pulled that recommendation from its October agenda after learning some members of the Democratic Party felt not all committee members were able to participate in the

Luz Torres

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature on Wednesday did not confirm the appointment of a new Democratic County Board of Elections commission, which came as a surprise to the man who currently holds that position and also serves as the chairman of the county Democratic Committee.

The vote on the appointment of deputy Democratic election commissioner Luz Torres to be the next commissioner to represent the party was withdrawn prior to the start of Wednesday’s meeting.  Earlier this month, Torres was recommended by a majority vote of the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee to replace long-time commissioner Norm Green, who will be retiring at the end of this year.

Upon learning of the appointment being pulled from consideration, Green attempted to speak on the issue at the first privilege of the floor, but was removed by a deputy sheriff at the request Democratic Legislature Minority Leader Chuck Nazzaro of Jamestown. Only matters that will be taken up by the legislature during its scheduled voting session can be commented on during the first privileged of the floor.

Lawmakers say they were concerned with the process of selecting Torres and wanted to look into it further as the reason for pulling the appointment from consideration.

If appointed, Torres would be the first Latina department head and the only woman of color leading a Chautauqua County department.

•  AUDIO ALSO AVAILABLE AT SOUNDCLOUD

New York State Board of Elections cancelled the Democratic Presidential Primary scheduled for June 23. WRFA’s Jason Sample talks about the decision with Norman Green, Democratic Election Commissioner for Chautauqua County and also chair of the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee.

Norman Green

Christina Cardinale

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County Democratic Committee is tapping a Jamestown resident to run for the New York State Assembly’s 150th District, which includes all of Chautauqua County.

Democratic Committee Chairman Norm Green said that Christina Cardinale has been named as the Democratic candidate to take on incumbent Republican Assemblyman Andrew Goodell in November.

Cardinale is a Jamestown native and works as a sales and marketing professional. This is her first attempt at running for public office.

“Christina Cardinale will be making her own official announcement shortly,” said Green. “She is an impressive candidate and I am convinced she will run a dynamic campaign in what will be an interesting election year with the pandemic.”

Goodell, who lives in the town of Ellicott, is currently serving his fifth consecutive term in the Assembly. He was first elected in 2010.

The 150th Assembly District includes all of, and only, Chautauqua County. It is the only district in the state to share the same boundaries as a single county.

Chautauqua County Democratic Election Commissioner and County Democratic Committee Chairman Norman Green.

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Democratic Committee Chairman is blasting the New York State Democratic Rural Conference’s (DRC) officers and board of directors for opposing the passing of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.

Local party chair Norm Green said that Chautauqua County is a member of the DRC, but it does not agree with the DRC’s decision to oppose proposed changes to the rules on how farm employees are to be paid.

Green said he 100% supports the passage of the new provision and supports the idea that all workers, even farm workers, deserve to be covered by minimum wage standards.

Green also acknowledged that local farmers need help, but not at the cost of substandard wages and conditions for farm workers.

The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act gives all New York State farm workers collective bargaining rights for the first time, along with overtime pay, one day off each week and access to unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.