David Wilfong
JAMESTOWN – The Republican candidate for Mayor of Jamestown reportedly failed to report his campaign finance numbers with the state board of elections on three separate occasion.
According to a media release sent out by Jamestown City Democratic Committee chairman Jim Walton, Republican Candidate David Wilfong failed to file a Pre and Post primary finance report and a periodic report – which was due on July 15 of this year. Walton said as of July 17, no such reports had been filed.
As a result, Walton filed a formal complaint with the Chautauqua County Board of Elections for violation of New York State’s campaign finance laws. The board then contacted Wilfong, who immediately submitted his reports.
Wilfong explained to WRFA on Monday he has a member of his campaign who was responsible for filing the reports, but did not. However, he also said that as the candidate in the campaign he takes full responsibility for it not happening, adding he would make sure all future reports are filed in a timely manner.
Walton, meanwhile, said that Wilfong has been a politician for several years now and should know better than to violate state campaign finance laws on three separate occasions.
“Being Mayor of the City of Jamestown requires transparency and honesty in everything you do,” Walton said. “Our City deserves better than someone who is not willing to be transparent with finances and cannot file a form on time… Being a couple of days late on the current report can possibly be explained as mere oversight. However, the two previous reports not being filed shows a blatant disregard for the law and bring into question the capabilities of a candidate who wants to become Mayor of the City of Jamestown.“
Wilfong is running not only as a Republican candidate, but also as the Conservative candidate. He is facing Democrat Eddie Sundquist (also running under the Working Families and Independence party lines) and Libertarian candidate Andrew Liuzzo. The three are vying for the seat being vacated by current Mayor Sam Teresi (D), who opted not to run for reelection to a sixth consecutive term.
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