CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY – Primary day is just one week away and its promising to be a buy one for the County Board of Elections, with both major party as well as with several third parties having county-wide races on Sept. 9.
Highlighting this year’s primary is the race for governor and lieutenant governor for the Democratic party, with three candidates on the ballot for governor and two candidates on the ballot for lt. governor.
THREE VIE FOR DEMOCRATIC ENDORSEMENT IN GOVERNOR’S RACE
In the governor’s race, incumbent Andrew Cuomo (Kisco, NY) will facing upstart challenger Zephyr Teachout (Brooklyn, NY) and fellow challenger Randy Credico (New York, NY). Teachout is a Fordham University professor who’s garnered a lot of attention after winning a court decision that would allow her name to remain on the ballot following a challenge by Cuomo’s campaign. Credico is a Comedian and considered a long-shot candidate.
In the Democratic Primary race for Lt. Governor, Kathy Hochul of Erie County has been tapped to be governor’s Cuomo’s running mate, replacing current lt. Gov. Robert Duffy of Rochester, who announced earlier this year he would not be seeking a second term as lt. governor Hochul is running against fellow democrat and Teachout running mate Timothy Wu.
FAMILY COURT JUDGE RACES HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL PRIMARIES
In addition to the democratic primary for governor, there will also be six party primaries in the newly created office for a second Chautauqua County Family Court Judge. A total of four candidates will have their names on the ballot, with all of them vying for at least one of the six party endorsement.
In the Democratic Party primary for that office, Falconer attorney Sally Jaroszynski, who is currently Ellicott Town Justice, will be facing Westfield attorney James Spann Jr. – who currently serves as the Westfield town justice.
For the Republican Party, Jamestown attorney Jeffry Piazza will be running against Fredonia Mayor and attorney Michael Sullivan.
In addition, Piazza, Sullivan and Spann will be competing for the endorsement of the Conservative Party.
Both Spann and Sullivan are candidates for the Working Families Party.
For the Independence Party, Piazza, Spann and Sullivan are all running for endorsement.
And for the Green Party, Spann and Sullivan are running for endorsement.
DISTRICT 12 SPECIAL ELECTION TO FEATURE INDEPENDENCE PARTY PRIMARY
There is also a primary for Jamestown residents who live in district 12 for the Chautauqua County Legislature. That seat is having a special election in November, since current legislator and Democrat Beth Kresge was only appointed to the seat earlier this year. She’ll be facing Jamestown Republican Elisabeth Rankin in the November general election. However, both candidates are also vying for the Independence Party endorsement on primary day – meaning any registered members of the independence party that live in District 12 will have the opportunity to vote for one of the two.
Primary day is on Tuesday, Sept. 9. All Chautauqua County poll sites will be open from Noon to 9 p.m. Voters can find their personal voter information at www.votechautauqua.com.
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