Democratic Candidate for City Council Ward 2 Pulls out of Race

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County Board of Elections on Monday announced that Jamestown City Council Ward 2 candidate Thomas Vitale will no longer be running for office.

Vitale sent a signed letter to election officials on Monday stating:

It is with great regret that I am forced to notify you that I will not be an active candidate in the 2019 General Election race for Ward 2 Jamestown City Councilman. As you know, I previously filed paperwork to be the Democratic and Working Families parties candidate for this office. Now, due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I must announce that I withdraw my name as an active candidate for this office.

Vitale was going to challenge long-time Ward 2 incumbent and Republican Tony Dolce in the November General Election. With Vitale no longer being a candidate, Dolce will run unopposed in November. He has already been endorsed by the Conservative, Independence and Libertarian Parties.

In June Dolce ran a primary against Raven Mason Thompson for the Republican nomination and defeated her by 119 to 34 votes. Mason Thompson has since been tapped by the Libertarians to run for one of the three city council at large seats.