FEDERAL OFFICES

PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

• WINNER – Donald Trump/Michael Pence (R, C)
• Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine (D, WF, WE)
• Gary Johnson/Bill Weld (I, L)
• Jill Stein/Ajumu Baraka (G)

UNITED STATES SENATE – NEW YORK STATE

• WINNER – *Charles Schumer (Brooklyn – D, WF, I, WE)
• Wendy Long (New York – R, C, Ref)
• Alex Merced (Brooklyn – L)
• Robin Laverne Wilson (Brooklyn – G)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – NY 23rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

• WINNER – *Thomas W. Reed II (Corning – R, C, I, Ref)
• John F. Plumb (Lakewood – D, WF)

STATE OFFICES

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE – 8th DISTRICT (CHOOSE TWO)

• WINNER – Daniel J. Furlong (East Aurora – R, C)
• WINNER – Mary L. Slisz (Buffalo – R, C)
• Grace M. Hanlon (Fredonia – D, WF, I)
• Lynn Wessel Keane (Orchard Park – D, I)
• Kenneth D. Schaeffer (New York – WF)

NEW YORK STATE SENATE – 57th SENATE DISTRICT

• WINNER – *Cathy Young (Olean – R, C, I, Ref)
• Lee Hyson (Frewsburg – D, WF, WE)

NEW YORK SATE ASSEMBLY – 150th DISTRICT

• WINNER – *Andrew Goodell (Falconer – R, C, I)
• Jason Perdue (Jamestown – D, WF, Ref)

LOCAL OFFICES

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY (Special Election)

• WINNER – **Patrick Swanson (Fredonia – D, WF, I, WE)
• Jason L. Schmidt (Fredonia – R, C, Ref)

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY FAMILY COURT JUDGE (Special Election)

• WINNER – Michael J. Sullivan (Fedonia – R, C, G, I)
• Sally Jaroszynski (Falconer – D, WF, WE, Ref)

Countywide Public Referendum

• VOTED DOWN – Chautauqua County Proposition Number 1: A Local Law Amending the Chautauqua County Charter,”Which Changes the Term Of Office Of Elected County Legislators From Two (2) Years To Four (4) Years?”

KEY: D – Democrat; R – Republican; I – Independence; L – Libertarian; C – Conservative; G – Green; WF – Working Families; WE – Women’s Equality; Ref – Reform.

*Notes Incumbent
**Office Holder via Appointment

• WRFA ELECTION 2016 STORIES
• LOWV MEET THE CANDIDATES: NY 23rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
• LOWV MEET THE CANDIDATES: NY 150th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
• LOWV MEET THE CANDIDATES: CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
• LOWV MEET THE CANDIDATES: FAMILY COURT JUDGE

Donald Trump following the news that he had won the 2016 Election and will become the 45th President of the United States (Damon Winter/The New York Times)

The 2016 Election is in the books and it’s turned out to be a major victory for Republicans across the country as well as in the Southern Tier.

In the race for U.S. president, upstart Donald Trump pulled off one of the biggest surprises in election history by defeating former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump won enough support in key battleground states to tilt the total number of electoral votes his way, and by early Wednesday morning he had secured more than 270 votes – which is the minimum amount needed to win the presidency.  While Trump garnered more electoral votes, both candidates had about an equal share of popular votes with each approaching 60,000,000. The total number of votes cast won’t be known for a couple more weeks, after an official canvas of the votes as taken place and all electoral votes are counted.

REED WINS REELECTION TO FOURTH TERM

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress, Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23), was able to secure a fourth term in office after defeating Democratic Challenger, Naval Captain John Plumb (D-Lakewood).  Reed picked up just under 150,000 votes in the district, which spans the Southern Tier of New York from Chautauqua County east to Tioga County. Plumb picked up just over 108,000. The margin of victory for Reed was 58 percent to 42 percent.

“We are humbled by the outpouring of support from volunteers and voters,” Reed said following the win. “I care deeply about this place we call home. I am proud to have earned your trust. I am excited to continuing working for our families.”

“We will put our record up against anyone’s because we have always fought to make sure New York got its fair share,” continued Reed. “Thank you for standing with us.”

• LISTEN TO REED ELECTION NIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE CALL

In his concession speech, Plumb also thanked those who supported his campaign.

John Plumb

“This has been a long uphill battle, and I’m very proud to say that I’ve woken up every day of this campaign to fight on our behalf. Unfortunately, the votes have been counted and today did not go in our favor,” Plumb said during his concession speech in Jamestown.

“I’m proud to say that we ran the race I wanted to run. The race we all want our politicians to run. We ran our race with integrity and honor, and with a focus on the communities we seek to serve. Those are the values I ran our campaign with, the values that run deep in the Southern Tier, Western New York, and the Finger Lakes. Those are the principles we should always strive for no matter what challenges we face. Thank you all for supporting me throughout this journey,” Plumb added.

In Chautauqua County Reed picked up an unofficial total of 27,400 votes to Plumb’s 19,900 (also 58 percent to 42 percent), with between 3200 and 4000 absentee ballots left to be counted.

Reed was just one of 238 Republican who were elected or won reelection to the House on Tuesday, given the party a 40-member advantage over the Democrats.

Meanwhile in the Senate, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn) easily won reelection over Republican Challenger Wendy Long by a margin of 70.4 percent to 27.5.

Despite predictions from some national media outlets that the Democrats would take over Congress’s upper legislative chamber, the GOP was able to maintain its control and will likely have 52 members come January, to the Democrats 48 members.

YOUNG, GOODELL CRUISE TO REELECTION

Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andy Goodell

The area’s two representatives in Albany also won reelection.

In the State Senate race, Cathy Young (R-Olean, 57th District) easily defeated challenger Lee Hyson (D-Frewsburg). Young received 87,000 votes from across the 57th district – which comprises all of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, along with the southern portion of Livingston County. Hyson, meanwhile, only managed to pick up just under 18,000 votes, giving Young an 83 to 17 percent margin of victory.

Nearly half of all of Young’s votes came from Chautauqua County, where she picked up an estimated 40,000. Hyson picked up just over 8,000.

While some races are still to close to call, state GOP officials are claiming victory in maintaining control of the state senate, meaning Young will continue to serve as chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, as well as serve as one of the top ranking Republicans in state politics.

Over in the Assembly race, Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R-Jamestown) won his fourth term in office, easily defeating challenger Jason Perdue (D-Jamestown) – 35,000 to 12,200 (74 to 26 percent).

SWANSON, SULLIVAN WIN IN SPECIAL COUNTY ELECTION

Chautauqua County Acting District Attorney Patrick Swanson (D-Fredonia) won in the race to fill out the remainder of the DA’s term – which expires at the end of 2017. Swanson defeated Jason Schmidt (R-Fredonia) 25,207 to 21,447. Swanson was appointed to the DA’s office at the start of 2016 after former DA David Foley left the post to assume the role of Chautauqua County Court Judge.

In the special election for Chautauqua County Family Court Judge, Michael Sullivan (R-Fredonia) defeated Sally Jaroszynski (D-Falconer) by a margin of 61 to 37 percent. The election took place to fill out the remainder of the term of former judge Judith Claire, who retired from the post earlier this year.

COUNTY LEGISLATURE TERM LENGTH REMAINS AT TWO YEARS

Voters in Chautauqua County voted down a proposition to amend the county charter and increase the term length for legislators from two years to four years. The proposition was defeated 26,783 to 16,287 – a margin of 62 to 38 percent.

STATE SUPREME COURT RACE TOO CLOSE TO CALL

And in the election to appoint two new Justices to the New York Supreme Court 8th District (which includes Chuatauqua County), the Buffalo News is reporting Wednesday that Republicans Mary L. Slisz and Daniel J. Furlong narrowly led a four-way race late Tuesday, but the outcome may depend on the districts in Erie County where ballots had not yet been tabulated.

Slisz, a Buffalo lawyer, and Furlong, confidential law clerk for retiring Justice Joseph R. Glownia, built pluralities in the seven Western New York counties outside Erie County. Both also ran for seats on the court in 2014.

Unofficial totals late Tuesday showed Democrats Lynn Wessel Keane, the Orchard Park town justice, and Grace M. Hanlon, former first assistant district attorney in Chautauqua County, ahead in Erie County by sizable margins, but it was not clear whether that would offset the vote for Slisz and Furlong elsewhere.

NY State Assembly (150th district) candidates Jason Perdue (D-Jamestown) and incumbent Andrew Goodell (R-Jamestown)

JAMESTOWN – Six Candidates who are running for three countywide offices in Chautauqua County were on hand for a Meet the Candidates forum Tuesday night at Jamestown Community College.

The forum, hosted by the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women, featured State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell (R-Jamestown) and challenger Jason Perdue (D-Jamestown), Acting District Attorney Patrick Swanson (D-Fredonia) and challenger Jason Schmidt (R-Fredonia), and Family Court Judge candidates Sally Jaroszynski (D-Falconer) and Michael Sullivan (R-Fredonia).

Candidate for New York State Senate – incumbent Cathy Young (R-Olean) and Challenger Lee Hyson (D-Frewsburg) – were not in attendance.

Chautauqua County Acting District Attorney Patrick Swanson (D-Fredonia) and candidate Jason Schmidt (R-Fredonia)

All candidates were asked what they felt was the most important issue of the campaign, with each candidate for Family Court Judge and District Attorney agreeing that the drug epidemic and specifically heroin are most important to address.

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Andy Goodell said that job creation is the most urgent problem facing the New York State, while his opponent, Jason Perdue, said that it economic uncertainty and the impact it has on thousands of families.

The candidates were each allowed to respond to nearly a dozen questions from both the moderators as well as from the audience.

Chautauqua County Family Court Judge candidates Sally Jaroszynski (D-Falconer) and Michael Sullivan (R-Fredonia)

WRFA will broadcast the entire Meet the Candidates Forum on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. during a special two-hour edition of our Community Matters program. At 5 p.m. we will feature the candidates for Family Court Judge and at about 5:30 we’ll focus on the District Attorney Candidates. Then at 6 p.m. we’ll shift our attention to the Candidates for State Assembly.

A second Meet the Candidates forum, which will include the candidates for state senate, will take place at SUNY Fredonia on Thursday night. In addition, a forum featuring the two candidates for Congress – incumbent Tom Reed (R-Corning) and challenger John Plumb (D-Lakewood) – will take place next Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at Chautauqua Lake Central School. Both forums will be open to the public.

Andy Goodell

JAMESTOWN – Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R, C, I – Jamestown) is getting support from a law enforcement group in his bid for fourth consecutive term in Albany.

Earlier this week Goodell announced the Police Conference of New York has endorsed him for re-election.

The conference is a statewide group that represents the interests of 200 police associations and 7 regional police conferences with over 25,000 members.

Goodell is running for reelection in the state’s 150th Assembly District, which includes all of, and only, Chautauqua County. He is running against Democratic Challenger Jason Perdue (D, WF, Ref. – Jamestown).

Andy Goodell

ALBANY – State Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R-Jamestown) has received recognition from a statewide organization for his support of legislation and policy that favors business.

The New York State Business Council recently gave the Chautauqua County Republican the highest score (79 percent) of any Assembly member in the entire State Legislature, based on his 2015-16 voting record.

The Business Council scorecard ranking was based on the vote on 27 different bills, including Goodell’s support for bills that controlled State spending, cut income taxes by $4 billion annually once fully implemented, expanded funding for upstate economic development programs, improved the State procurement process to make it more transparent and accessible to small business, and enacted a five year transportation plan with funding parity for upstate New York.

Goodell also received positive marks for his vote against the complete government takeover of the health insurance industry, which critics said would have cost State taxpayers about $100 Billion in new annual state spending. He also voted against legislation that would put the New York State Labor Department in charge of reviewing private sector wage rates throughout the State.

Goodell also had the highest score of any Assemblyman in 2014, and has consistently ranked among the highest scoring Assembly members.

The Business Council is an independent nonpartisan organization and considered the leading business organization in the state. Its membership is made up of thousands of member companies, as well as local chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations.

Goodell has represented Chautauqua County in the State Assembly since 2010. He is seeking reelection this November and is facing Democratic Challenger Jason Perdue of Jamestown.

Brocton Native Jason Perdue has announced his intention to run for 150^th New York State Assembly district seat, currently held by Andy Goodell (R,C, I – Chautauqua).

In a media release sent out Tuesday, Perdue says he’s running because he wants to make sure residents in Chautauqua County have a representative who not only understands the issues that people face, but also someone who has lived through some of them. He said his top priority will be to ensure there are good-paying jobs in the county. He said he’ll also focus on the current drug epidemic, while also providing a voice in Albany for all groups of people so that no one is left behind.

Perdue is currently the manager of a local retail store and has also studied at both Jamestown Community College and Jamestown Business College. He is currently president of the Jamestown Pride Society.

Perdue was nominated as a candidate last Thursday by Jamestown City Council President Greg Rabb during a meeting of the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee, which then gave him their endorsement.

So far no one else has come forward to challenge Assemblyman Goodell, a Republican who was first elected to the Assembly in 2010.