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.

Norman Green (left) and NY Sen. Catherine Young (R-Olean, 57th Senate District)

JAMESTOWN – The chairman of the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee is taking Sen. Catherine Young’s (R-Olean) office to task for sending out campaign-style mailers using taxpayer money, less than a month before the General Election.

Chairman Norman Green, who also serves as one of the two county Board of Elections commissioners, says residents in the Southern Tier this week received one of two campaign-style mailings from Young’s Senate office. Green notes that Young is also currently running for reelection, and both mailings were sent out at tax payers expense. The mailers trumpeted young for “Defending Our Constitutional Rights” and is “Strengthening Our Rural Communities.”

“I estimate the printing and postage of any district wide mailer to be about $50,000,” Green said. He also said that using taxpayer money to send out what amounts to campaign literature so close to the general election puts Young at an unfair advantage against her opponent, Democrat Lee Hyson of Frewsburg.

“There are a lot of things wrong with Albany. From my perspective, the insurmountable odds of having a fairly contested election against an incumbent is the number one election issue we face,” Green said. “There is absolutely no reason that the taxpayers should ever pay for self-promotion mailers, but particularly this mailing should be prohibited at our expense within the last month before an election. To ensure that we have qualified candidates come forward, we need to provide a level playing field for each election in the future.”

Green’s complete statement is provided below.

Meanwhile, Sen. Young’s campaign spokesman, Bob Driscoll, calls Green’s comments a partisan attack and “nonsense.”

“Norm Green’s statement is patently false, and is fabricated partisan nonsense,” Driscoll said. “It is unfortunate that he and our opponent are playing politics and this is a desperate attempt to mislead the public. The facts show that these newsletters were properly sent within the timeframe, and every rule was followed.”

Driscoll also explained that Green’s comments were an effort to cover up Hyson’s lack of public appearances and engagement during the campaign.

“While Senator Young is fighting hard and working on behalf of the people in her district every day, her opponent has been virtually nonexistent,” Driscoll noted. “Not only has he aligned himself with the radical New York City-controlled Senate Democrats, there are questions about how much he has even lived in the district over the past 16 years…. He even hasn’t been here for most of the entire campaign.  According to his Facebook page, over the past more than seven months he has only attended about seven events in our communities. Contrast that pathetic record with Senator Young, who is closely in touch with her district and attends up to seven events in just one day.”

Sen. Young and Hyson are the only two candidates appearing on the ballot for the 57th State Senate District in this year’s election. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Norman Green’s Full Comments Regarding Sen. Young’s Mailers

In today’s United States mail, voters across the southern tier received one of two campaign style mailings from State Senator Cathy Young.  One would have to know what to look for, but examination finds that each carried the U.S. Postage Paid indicia from the New York State Senate.  While the mailings were not labeled or identified that they were mailed at tax payers expense, they were.   (Only federal candidates are required to label mail as to who paid for it.)

Less than 30-days before the General Election, Senator Young sent out these campaign style mailers at tax-payer’s expense.   I estimate the printing and postage of any district wide mailer to be about $50,000.  The mailer trumpeted that Senator Young is “Defending Our Constitutional Rights” and is “Strengthening Our Rural Communities”.

The excuse that we would no doubt receive from Senator Young and Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who had some recent mailings of his own, is that this is legal and every incumbent does it and probably they will even defend the messages as important and timely.  Of course it’s timely for their re-election bids, too.

The sad truth is that Senator Young is facing a wonderful and fully qualified citizen candidate, Lee Hyson.  He is a young man, a private contract engineer who is hired to work all over the world for some of the world’s biggest corporations.  He is part of a new generation of leadership and has great fresh new ideas including term limits.  I will be voting for him, of course.

Senator Young is rated consistently as one of the most powerful people in Albany.  She delivers for the district, is well liked and provides great constituent service.   She will be re-elected.  She did not need to do this over the top mailing to get re-elected.  Maybe this mail will take her election totals from 64% to 65% of the total vote?

There are a lot of things wrong with Albany.  From my perspective, the insurmountable odds of having a fairly contested election against an incumbent is the number one election issue we face.  There is absolutely no reason that the taxpayers should ever pay for self-promotion mailers, but particularly this mailing should be prohibited at our expense within the last month before an election.  To ensure that we have qualified candidates come forward, we need to provide a level playing field for each election in the future. 

Bob Driscoll’s Response

Norm Green’s statement is patently false, and is fabricated partisan nonsense.  It is unfortunate that he and our opponent are playing politics and this is a desperate attempt to mislead the public.  The facts show that these newsletters were properly sent within the timeframe, and every rule was followed.  While Senator Young is fighting hard and working on behalf of the people in her district every day, her opponent has been virtually nonexistent.  Not only has he aligned himself with the radical New York City-controlled Senate Democrats, there are questions about how much he has even lived in the district over the past 16 years.  He has said in many news reports that he has been in Southeast Asia and other states for most of that time, and only recently moved back to the area to run for Senate, which is a violation of the state constitution and state law.  He even hasn’t been here for most of the entire campaign.  According to his Facebook page, over the past more than seven months he has only attended about seven events in our communities.  Contrast that pathetic record with Senator Young, who is closely in touch with her district and attends up to seven events in just one day.  Senator Young is going to keep delivering on behalf of the people in her district.

Lee Hyson

SOUTH VALLEY, NY -A resident of Cattaraugus County has announced his intention to run for State Senate.

33 year-old Lee Hyson will be a candidate for the Democratic Party in the race for the 57th New York State Senate District that encompasses Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and the lower portion of Livingston County.

Hyson grew up and attended school in Salamanca. In 2005, he earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.  In a media release sent out by the Hyson campaign Friday morning, Hyson is described as an expert in geotechnical operations, with a broad background in business and the private sector.

“I fully appreciate the opportunity to represent this important district and will work hard to promote its interests,” Hyson said.  “I stand with the people of the Southern Tier in the 57^th district, who deserve someone who is hard-working, intelligent, loyal, and knows and cares about the people.”

When not working as an engineer, Hyson considers himself an avid outdoorsman and proponent of strengthening this region’s tourist economy.

“I will bring a fresh perspective to state politics,” He  said. “All sides need to collaborate to solve problems in ways that are affordable but do not sacrifice the quality of services government delivers to create strong communities. Our people – especially the younger generations – need to be empowered, and made to feel that they have a voice in what happens in this area. I will work enthusiastically with all our communities to ensure the voice of the Southern Tier is heard in Albany.  I will focus on our local issues, including finding ways to undertake the heroin epidemic ravaging our communities. I will focus on these issues until they are resolved.”

The 57th senate seat is currently held by incumbent Cathy Young (R – Olean), who’s served in the senate since 2005, when she filled the seat that was left open upon the death of former state senator Patricia McGee. Prior to that she had served in the state assembly. Senator Young, currently the Senate Finance Committee chair and a ranking member in majority leadership, ran unopposed in both the 2012 and 2014 election.