Locally in Jamestown, incumbent David Wilfong (R) defeated challenger Frank Besse (D) in the District 11 race. Meanwhile in District 12, incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R) defeated challenger Dave Reinhardt (D).
A complete list of legislative winners is provided below.
Meanwhile, in addition to 17 incumbents winning reelection, there were also two open seats up for a vote.
In District 16 – which includes the towns of Kiantone, Carroll, and Poland – John Davis (R-Frewsburg) defeated Terry Walker (D-Kennedy). That seat is currently held by Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg) who did not seek reelection.
The closest legislative race of the night was in District 6, where Kevin O’Connell (D-Silver Creek) defeated Gary Cerne (R-Irving) 53 to 47 percent.
With the election day results, Democrats in the legislature will have picked up one seat on the legislature but will still be significantly outnumbered by nearly a 3 to 1 margin, with 14 Republican to just 5 Democrats.
District 1
District 2 – Uncontested
District 3
District 4 – Uncontested
District 5 – Uncontested
District 6
District 7 – Uncontested
District 8
District 9 – Uncontested
District 10 – Uncontested
District 11
District 12
District 13 – Uncontested
District 14 – Uncontested
District 15 – Uncontested
District 16
District 17 – Uncontested
District 18
District 19
George Borrello (left) and Michael Ferguson, the 2017 Candidates for Chautauqua County Executive
MAYVILLE – Election Day 2017 has arrived and by tonight most if not all the candidates around Chautauqua County will find out if they have been elected to public office.
BORRELLO VS. FERGUSON FOR COUNTY EXEC
The highlight of this local election year is the race for Chautauqua County Executive, which features George Borrello (R-Irving) and Mike Ferguson (D-Fredonia).
Borrello has touted his work as a private businessman and elected official on the Chautauqua County Legislature as reasons why residents should select him. Meanwhile, Ferguson has prided himself on being able to serve as a top administrator at a number of private and nonprofit operations, including a past GM of the Jamestown Jammers professional baseball team, the former GM of the Northwest Arena, a member of the county’s tourism board, and as current executive of the Fredonia Place skilled nursing facility.
BARMORE VS LAZARONY FOR COUNTY CLERK
Another county-wide election will feature the race for Chautauqua County Clerk, where incumbent Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) will square off against former Cassadaga Mayor LeeAnn Lazarony (D-Cassadaga).
COUNTY LEGISLATURE HAS NINE CONTESTED RACES
All 19 seats of the Chautauqua County Legislature are also up for a vote, but only nine of them feature contested races. The main focus will be to see if Democrats are able to cut into the Republicans Stronghold over the legislature, where currently the GOP outnumbers its counterparts 15 to 4.
In Jamestown there are two contested races for the Legislature.
In District 11, which is the northwest portion of the city, incumbent David Wilfong (R) who’s also the county GOP committee chair, is being challenged by local businessman Frank Besse (D).
In District 12, which covers the northeast portion of the city, incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R) will face challenger Dave Reinhardt (D).
Another local race of interest features the open seat in District 16, which is currently held by Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg). Lemon has opted not to run for reelection and as a result, that race will feature John Davis (R-Frewsburg) squaring off against Terry Walker of (D-Kennedy). District 16 covers the towns of Kiantone, Carroll, and Poland.
Other contested races include:
District 8 – Towns of Ellery and North Harmony
District 18 – Towns of Chautauqua, Mina and Sherman
District 19 – Towns of Ripley and Westfield
District 1 – Dunkirk
District 3 – Fredonia
District 6 – Hanover (Borrello’s current seat)
Local legislators Paul Whitford (D), Chuck Nazarro (D), and Lisa Vanstrom (R) – all of Jamestown – along with PJ Wendel (R) of Lakewood, are all running unopposed.
For more information on Election Day 2017, visit www.VoteChautauqua.com.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m.
]]>This year’s election features races for several local offices, including County Executive, County Clerk, and all 19 seats in the Chautauqua County Legislature.
Already announced candidates include Republican George Borrello (Irving) and Democrat Mike Ferguson (Fredonia) running for the open seat of County Executive after Vince Horrigan announce at the start of this year he would not seek another term in office. Running for county clerk will be Republican incumbent Larry Barmore of Gerry, being challenged by Democrat LeeAnn Lazarony of Cassadaga.
A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.
In addition to the two county-wide races, there will be nine contested races for in the 19-seat Chautauqua County Legislature, including two open seat races.
Contested races include:
It appears 10 races will be uncontested this year.
The four incumbent Democratic legislators are all seeking re-election and are apparently not being opposed by Republicans. They include Minority Leader Chuck Nazzaro (District 9 – Jamestown) Assistant Minority Leader Bob Bankoski (District 2 – Dunkirk); Christine Starks (District 4 – Fredonia) and Paul Whitford (District 13 – Jamestown).
Six Republicans, including five incumbents, are also running unopposed. They are Terry Niebel (District 5 – Dunkirk), Mark O’Dell (District 7 – Brocton), Paul “PJ” Wendel (District 10- Lakewood), Lisa Vanstrom (District 15 – West Ellicott), and Frank “Jay” Gould (District 17 – Ashville).
Republican Dan Pavlock of Charlotte will be running unopposed in the open District 14 seat, which is being vacated by Republican Mark Tarbrake (Jamestown), who is vacating the seat due to moving out of the district. District 14 covers the Town of Ellicott north of I-86, along with the towns of Gerry, Ellington, and Charlotte.
Republicans currently hold at 15 to 4 majority in the legislature.
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