Jamestown legislators David Wilfong (left) and Elisabeth Rankin both won reelection in their respective legislature seats. The two join 13 other Republicans who won legislature races on Election Day 2015.

MAYVILLE – With only eight of 19 contested races in the Chautauqua County Legislature, there wasn’t expected to be much of a change, and that sentiment held true following the 2015 Elections, with only a handful of new faces joining the ranks of the legislature.

FOUR NEW NAMES ADDED TO 19 MEMBER LEGISLATURE

The legislature will have just four new members starting in January, with only one incumbent being unseated in a contested race on Election Day.

In District 2, challenger Robert Bankoski (D-Dunkirk) defeated incumbent Shaun Heenan (R-Dunkirk) 679 to 365.

Two other newcomers were also elected after winning their respective contested races. In District 1, Kevin Muldowney (R-Dunkirk) defeated Democrat William Rivera (D-Dunkirk) 693 to 385. Muldowney will take the seat currently held by long-time legislator Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk), who did not seek reelection.

And in District 7, Mark Odell (R-Portland) defeated David Wilkinson (D-Cassadaga) 653 to 289. Odell will take the seat vacated by outgoing legislator John Runkle (R-Stockton), who is not seeking reelection.

The final newcomer is District 4‘s Christine Starks (D-Fredonia), who ran unopposed and will take over the seat held by legislator Janet Keefe (D-Fredonia), who also did not seek reelection.

REPUBLICANS SWEEP REMAINING CONTESTED RACES

There were two contested legislature races in the Jamestown area, and both Republican incumbents won reelection. In District 11 David Wilfong (R-Jamestown) defeated Robert Whitney (D-Jamestown) 347 to 305. In District 12, it was incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R-Jamestown) defeating challenger Beth Kresge (D-Jamestown) 430 to 399. Both races were rematches from the 2013 election.

Other incumbents being reelected despite having opposition on the ballet were Legislature Chairman and Jay Gould (R-Ashville, District 17), Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia, District 3) and Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk, District 5).

As a result of the elections, the GOP gained a seat in the legislature, strengthening its super-majority. Of the 19 members, 15 will be Republicans, 4 will be Democrats.

WINNERS OF 2015 CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY LEGISLATURE ELECTIONS

D1: Kevin J. Muldowney (R-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D2: Robert Bankoski (D-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D3: Bob Scudder* (R-Fredonia) (Won Contested Race)
D4: Christine Starks (D-Fredonia)
D5: Terry Niebel* (R-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D6: George Borrello* (R-Irving)
D7: Mark Odell (R-Portland) (Won Contested Race)
D8: Pierre Chagnon* (R-Bemus Point)
D9: Charles Nazzaro* (D-Jamestown)
D10: Paul Wendell* (R-Lakewood)
D11: David Wilfong* (R-Jamestown) (Won Contested Race)
D12: Elisabeth Rankin* (R-Jamestown) (Won Contested Race)
D13: Paul Whitford* (D-Jamestown)
D14: Mark Tarbrake* (R-Jamestown)
D15: Lisa Vanstrom* (R-Jamestown)
D16: Ronald Lemon* (R-Frewsburg)
D17: Jay Gould* (R-Ashville) (Won Contested Race)
D18: David Himelein* (R-Findley Lake)
D19: John Hemmer* (R-Westfield)

* – Incumbent

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

MAYVILLE – 2015 is a local election year in Chautauqua County with several races shaping up for the 19-member Chautauqua County Legislature.

Currently, the Republicans hold a super-majority in Mayville, with 14 of the 19 seats held by the GOP.  And with six GOP incumbents running unopposed, the odds are pretty slim that Republicans risk losing their majority status.

Still, county Democrats are hoping to regain a few seats by challenging six of the seats currently held by the GOP. A seventh contested race will feature two registered Democrats vying for the same seat, with the incumbent Democrat being endorsed by the GOP and Conservative parties. And an eighth contested race will feature an independent taking on the current legislature chairman.

The legislature will have at least three new members. That’s because current legislators Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk, District 1), Janet Keefe (D-Fredonia, District 4) and John Runkle (R-Stockton, District 7) will not seek reelection.

The legislature elections, which involve two-year terms for each seat, will be the only county government race in 2015. The county executive and county clerk each have two years remaining on their four-year terms.

For a complete listing of all local elections, visit www.VoteChautauqua.com.

Election day 2015 is Tuesday, November 3.

CONTESTED LEGISLATURE RACES

• District 1 (OPEN SEAT): Kevin Muldowney, R-Dunkirk; William Rivera, D-Dunkirk
• District 2: Shaun Heenan, D-Dunkirk (incumbent, running on Republican line); Robert Bankoski, D-Dunkirk
• District 3: Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia (incumbent); Wayne Dorler, D-Fredonia
• District 5: Terry Niebel, R-Dunkirk (incumbent); Martin Anderson, D-Forestville
• District 7 (OPEN SEAT): Mark Odell, R-Brocton; David Wilkinson, D-Cassadaga
• District 11: David Wilfong, R-Jamestown (incumbent); Robert Whitney, D-Jamestown
• District 12: Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown (incumbent); Beth Kresge, D-Jamestown
• District 17: Jay Gould, R-Ashville (incumbent, chairman); John Suroviec, i-Clymer

UNCONTESTED LEGISLATURE RACES

• District 4: Christine Starks, D-Fredonia
• District 6: George Borrello, R-Irving
• District 8: Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point
• District 9: Charles “Chuck” Nazzaro, D-Jamestown
• District 10: Paul “PJ” Wendel, R-Lakewood
• District 13: Paul Whitford, D-Jamestown
• District 14: Mark Tarbrake, R-Jamestown
• District 15: Lisa Vanstrom, R-Ellicott
• District 16: Ron Lemon, R-Frewsburg