Eddie Sundquist

MAYVILLE – Democratic Committee members in Chautauqua County have announced their endorsement for congress in the 2018 General Election.

Jamestown attorney Eddie Sundquist, the only candidate of the pool of seven to come from Chautauqua County, collected 59 percent of the ballot vote to beat out six other contenders to win the endorsement of the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee. Sundquist received the majority of votes on the fourth attempt by more than 100 committee members.

Democrats across the state’s 23rd Congressional District have been working to identify the candidate who will best challenge Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning), who will be seeking a fifth term in office.

Fellow Democratic hopefuls Tracy Mitrano (Penn Yann) and Max Dell Pia (Owego) were second and third runner ups respectively in the nomination process. Also nominated were Linda Andrei (Ithaca), Rick Gallant (Corning), Ian Golden (Ithaca), and Charles Whalen (Geneva).

Party Chairman Norman Green says the endorsement process for the county Democratic Committee is a precursor to the June 26 primary where rank-and-file Democrats will vote to finalize the party’s candidate to run in the general election.

The field of Democratic contenders this year is the largest since the creation of the newly drawn 23^rd congressional district back in 2012. In that year’s election, a total of three Democrats competed for the party’s nomination to face Reed, with the eventual winner being Ithaca’s Nate Shinagawa. There was no primary in 2014 and 2016 elections, with Democratic candidates Martha Robertson and John Plumb each having no competition from their fellow party members. In each of those three past elections, Reed was able to hold his seat.

The NY23 district extends along New York’s border with Pennsylvania from the shores of Lake Erie in Chautauqua County to the suburbs of Binghamton in Tioga County.  Of those numerous counties in the district, Chautauqua County holds the largest overall population, while Tompkins County has the most registered Democrats.

Eddie Sundquist

JAMESTOWN – Even though it’s still nearly a year-and-a-half away, a Jamestown residents is officially throwing his hat into the ring to challenge Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) in the 2018 election.

Area attorney Eddie Sundquist this morning officially announced his campaign for New York’s 23rd Congressional District in a media release sent to WRFA.

Born and raised in Jamestown, Sundquist is a graduate of Jamestown High School and is the first in his family to graduate college, having earned a political science degree at St. John Fisher College. He then earned his Masters of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, and received his law degree from the University of Buffalo School of Law. His law practice currently focuses on helping injured workers and grieving families.

Sundquist is currently a founding board member and community trainer for the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition and he also serves as a regional competition judge in the Finger Lakes FIRST Robotics competition.

In his announcement, Sundquist accuses Reed of defending the elite and special interests in D.C., saying that if elected, he would instead fight for all of the hard working people of the Southern Tier –  adding that the district needs a true representative who will fight for access to affordable healthcare, high quality child care and education, and economic opportunity for all.

Sundquist is one of several Democrats contending for the party’s nomination in 2018. Others who’ve announced an intention to run against Reed include Corning area teacher and union leader Rick Gallant, Ithaca businessman Ian Golden, Enfield resident James Clasby and Ulysses Town Board member JG Hertzler, who’s also an actor known for his role as General Martok in the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 television series.

The NY 23 Congressional District, containing: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates Tompkins and Seneca counties – along with a portion of Ontario county.

Since reapportionment redrew congressional lines and put Chautauqua County into the 23^rd congressional district, Tom Reed has won reelection three separate times against three different opponents. They included Ithaca-area Democrats Nate Shinagowa in 2012 and Martha Robertson in 2014, and most recently Randolph native John Plumb in last year’s election.

With the election still nearly a year-and-a-half away, more potential candidates cold also be coming forward in the coming weeks and months. If necessary, a Democratic primary will take place in June 2018.

The 23rd Congressional District is comprised of 11 counties – several of which are located in the southern tier along the New York-Pennsylvania border.

Starting this week, Sundquist will embark on a listening tour, visiting all 11 counties in the district to hear about real issues from the people of the region. For more information on Sundquist and his campaign, visit www.eddiesundquist.com.

NY 23 DISTRICT: The NY 23 Congressional District, containing: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates Tompkins and Seneca counties – along with a portion of Ontario county.

The next congressional election isn’t until November 2018, but several individuals are already putting their hats in the ring in an effort to unseat Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning).

Rep. Tom Reed of Corning, elected to Congress in 2010, has represented New York 23rd Congressional District since January 2013.

According to the Jamestown Post-Journal, potential candidates for the state’s 23rd congressional district include Jamestown area attorney Eddie Sundquist, Corning area teacher and union leader Rick Gallant, and Ithaca businessman Ian Golden. Also listed as a potential candidate via Facebook is Enfield, New York resident James Clasby.

Since reapportionment redrew congressional lines and put Chautauqua County into the 23^rd congressional district, Tom Reed has won reelection three separate times against three different opponents.  They included Ithaca-area Democrats Nate Shinagowa in 2012 and Martha Robertson in 2014, and most recently Randolph native John Plumb in last year’s election.

With the election still nearly a year-and-a-half away, more potential candidates cold also be coming forward in the coming weeks and months. If necessary, a Democratic primary will take place in June 2018.

The 23rd Congressional District is comprised of 11 counties – several of which are located in the southern tier along the New York-Pennsylvania border.

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

WASHINGTON – Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress has been selected to be a vice chair for president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team.

Tom Reed (left) and Donald Trump

Corning Republican Tom Reed, who represents Chautauqua County as part of New York’s 23rd Congressional District, said in a news release that he was humbled to be selected.

“We are both honored and humbled to be selected as a Vice-Chair for President-Elect Trump’s transition team. We care about the future of our country and recognize that this is a massive undertaking at a pivotal moment in our history. It’s only right that we remain committed to bringing our best efforts to the table to make our country strong and prosperous. We are glad to serve the alongside those on the team and look forward to getting to work.” Tom Reed.

Reed also held a special media conference call with reporters on Thursday morning to further discuss the appointment.

Reed was an early supporter of Trump. In a debate before the election, he said he supported Trump because he offered the best chance of “disrupting” Washington, D.C. He was the second New York congressman to support Trump, after Rep. Chris Collins (R-Clarence, NY-27). Collins was also selected to be on Trump’s executive committee.

Reed was first elected in 2010, and he won reelection to a fourth term last month, beating out democratic candidate John Plumb. Reed has represented Chautauqua County since 2013, after redistricting created the state’s new 23^rd congressional district, which stretches across the Southern Tier of the state and includes Chautauqua County.

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.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) talks with regional reporters just before midnight on Election Night, after learning that he won reelection to a fourth term in office. Reed defeated Democratic Challenger, Naval Capt. John Plumb (D-Lakewood).

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

John Plumb

LAKEWOOD – Democratic Congressional Candidate John Plumb of Lakewood has picked up another endorsement.

The Truman National Security Project announced earlier this week its endorsement of Plumb for congress.

The Truman National Project is comprised of more than 1,500 post-9/11 veterans, frontline civilians, policy experts, and political professionals. The membership believes in a strong, smart, and principled foreign policy that sees the United States leading a growing community of nations towards shared security and prosperity. The organization says it works to unite next-generation veteran, political, and policy leaders to develop and advance strong, smart, and principled solutions to the global challenges Americans now face.

In making the endorsement, Truman President and CEO Mike Breen said that as a third generation military serviceman, Plumb has displayed an unmatched commitment to veterans, and has also made a mark on America’s energy independence efforts.

Plumb is challenging Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) for his seat in the 2016 general election. Over the past two decades he’s served as a submarine officer in the Navy and later as an official at the Department of Defense. Most recently he’s served as director of defense policy and strategy at the National Security Council and is also a Navy Reserve Captain. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1988.

Reed is an attorney and former mayor of Corning who was elected to Congress in 2010 and has represented Chautauqua County since January 2013, when redistricting created the new boundaries for the state’s 23^rd congressional district.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning) (left) and John Plumb (D-Lakewood)

MAYVILLE – The two candidates for New York’s 23rd Congressional District were at Chautauqua Lake Central School Tuesday night, Nov. 1 to participate in the second of two scheduled debates.

The forum, hosted by the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women, featured both Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning) and challenger John Plumb (D-Lakewood).

Reed told the audience that he feels the biggest challenge facing residents of the 23rd district is a lack of economic opportunity – which is something he’s been working to help bring to the southern tier since he was first elected in 2010. Plumb said that the biggest challenge facing residents is the dysfunction that can currently be found in Washington DC, and he said the Reed has shown he’s been a part of that ongoing dysfunction.

• LISTEN TO THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY LOWV DEBATE, FROM NOV. 1
• WATCH THE WETM DEBATE FROM FRIDAY, OCT. 28

A variety of issues were covered during the debate, including The Affordable Care Act, the Second Amendment, conservation and environmentalism, social security, and veterans’ services.

When it came to the Affordable Care Act, Reed stood by his effort to repeal the healthcare plan, which he says has failed thousands of residents in the district.

“What we’re seeing, is it’s driving people out of the healthcare insurance market because you’ve got 25 percent premium increases, which just came out the other day,” Reed said. “At the town halls I’ve been at, I’ve seen the impact of these laws. People say, ‘Tom, I can afford the deductible. I can’t afford the co-pay. I can’t afford to go see the doctor. What is so good about this law?'”

Plumb also acknowledged that the affordable care act has not worked the way it was intended, but also said that instead of repealing the law, Tom Reed and the rest of his colleagues in congress should have focused on improving it.

“My opponent has voted 63 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, with no plan to replace it or fix it,” Plumb said. “That is making it worse every single time. It’s wasting our time. It’s wasting our taxpayer dollars and you know, we’re paying him to go to congress to do thsese things. The fact is, if we had improved this thing 63 times, maybe we would be somewhere right now.”

Both Plumb and Reed also addressed the issue of the second amendment and how to deal with violent gun incidents. Plumb said that he is a supporter of the second amendment and feels that requiring universal background checks for all gun purchases doesn’t infringe on the constitutional law, nor does banning gun ownership from those who are suspected of terrorism.

Reed said that he also favors limiting access of weapons to convicted felons, but said that government should focus on the mental health associated with individuals who are capable of committing violent crimes rather than resort to universal background checks. He also took Plumb to task for failing to receive a positive grade from the NRA….

“NRA endorsed us and gave us an ‘A’ rating. My opponent didn’t even bother to fill out the questionnaire and has a question mark from the NRA. What that means to the NRA is you are openly hostile to the second amendment going forward,” Reed said.

In response, Plumb said that as a military trained sharp shooter for both pistol and rifle, and as a lifelong hunter, he believes his experience and history when it comes to firearms speaks for itself.

“I do not need to fill out a silly questionnaire to get my credentials on my ability to use and safely handle a weapon. I’ve been doing it most of my life,” Plumb responded. “The fact is, I am a strong defender of the second amendment. I’m a hunter. I’m a firearms owner. And I defend the second amendment and all of the amendments – I’ve sworn an oath to that – and I’ve been doing it for 22 years in the United States Navy.”

The two candidates also commented on their choice for president. Plumb has supported Hillary Clinton since the beginning of her bid for president, while Reed has endorsed Donald Trump since the spring. Reed said that while he doesn’t always agree with Trump, he strongly feels that choosing Clinton will take the country in the wrong direction.

“When he has said things that we disagree with, we have called him out on that and said we disagree and that’s just plain wrong,” Reed said. “But when we are talking about the Supreme Court of the United States, I can assure you Donald Trump will put Supreme Court  Justices on the Court that will do what the court should do – interpret and enforce the Constitution, not what Hillary Clinton and my opponent wants to do with his support of her: carry out a progressive agenda.”

In response, Plumb said that he disagrees with how Clinton has handled her email scandal and there are no excuses for it. But, he said she is still a far better choice than Trump.

“I’m not going to defend Hillary Clinton on the email server and the use of the server. That’s is just a terrible mistake and she should never have done that. With that said, I can not possible align myself with someone who disrespects disabled people, who mocks prisoners of war and who mocks fallen soldiers, and then boasts about sexual assault. This is not someone who should be leading the country,” Plumb said.

The two candidates addressed various issues for an hour. Both were pleased with their performances and felt the forum gave them an opportunity to highlight their platform while also illustrating why they should be elected to represent the district.

Plumb is challenging Reed (R-Corning) for his seat in Congress. Over the past two decades he’s served as a submarine officer in the Navy and later as an official at the Department of Defense. Most recently he’s served as director of defense policy and strategy at the National Security Council. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1988.

Reed is an attorney and former mayor of Corning who was elected to Congress in 2010 and has represented Chautauqua County since January 2013, when redistricting created the new boundaries for the state’s 23rd congressional district.