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Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23), NY Senator George Borrello (R-Irving, 57th District), and Assembly members Andy Goodell (R-Ellicott, 150th District) and Joe Giglio (R-Gowanda, 149th District) hold a press conference at Crown Roasting Company, Jamestown, NY on Tuesday, May 12 to call for the start of reopening the economies of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.

Mark Odell

BROCTON – A Republican who’s represented the Brocton and Stockton areas of the Chautauqua County Legislature for the past four years says he wants to be the next county executive.

On Monday Legislator Mark Odell (R-Brocton, District 7) announced he is a candidate for county executive to fill the seat that was recently vacated by George Borrello after he won the 57th State Senate race last month.

Odell said his decision to run for county executive came after he was asked by county residents and political leaders to consider serving as County Executive.

While on the county legislature, Odell has served as the chair of the the Planning and Economic Development Committee and is also the legislature’s representative on the County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Board.
Odell – who is a 1989 Cassadaga Valley Graduate – also points to his experience as a private-sector businessman as one of his qualifications for being county executive. He holds advanced degrees/certifications in Economics and Engineering and is the Vice President of Sales Engineering for Econoburn Boilers/Abasco Mfg with manufacturing facilities in Brocton and Hamburg.

It’s also been reported that current county legislature chairman Paul “PJ” Wendel (R-Lakewood) is also seeking the county executive appointment.

Under new rules approved in August, the county legislature will await a nomination from the Chautauqua County Republican Committee for who it wants to fill out the remainder of the current county executive term. The Committee has 45 days from Borrello’s resignation to nominate an individual. Borrello’s resignation was on Monday, November 25 and since then county attorney Steve Abdella has been serving as acting county executive.