Cattaraugus County Resident Tapped For Open State Senate Seat
A Cattaraugus County political newcomer has been endorsed for the open 57th District state Senate seat recently vacated by Cathy Young.
Democratic chairmans of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Livingston counties announced in a joint statement that 22-year-old Austin T. Morgan had been tapped for the position. Morgan was one of several candidates interviewed this past week for Young’s vacated seat in the state Senate.
“Morgan is 22 going on 40,” said Chautauqua County Democratic Chairman Norman Green.
Added Cattaraugus County Chairman Frank Puglisi: “He is one of those rare people who walks into a room and instantly gets your attention.”
Morgan, a resident of Freedom, is a spring 2019 candidate for graduation at Cornell University with a degree in human development. He is currently the co-president and former client manager of Cornell Productions, a student-run company that employs 40 student workers. He also worked as a substitute teachers and as a one-on-one teacher aide with special needs students.
“Morgan will immediately have power and access as a new majority caucus member in the New York State Senate,” said Livingston County Democratic Chairman Judith Hunter. “It makes great economic sense for our region in the new reality of New York politics to elect a young man who will gain seniority in the majority over the coming decades.”
Mike McCormick, Allegany Democratic chairman, noted Morgan’s “command of the issues facing the 57th District.”
“He is extremely intelligent and articulate,” McCormick said. “Morgan represents the future of our party. We are proud to back him for this office.”
The four county chairs said the next task for members is to circulate a qualifying designation to get Morgan on the ballot. A special election for the open seat could come as soon as Nov. 5 of this year.
The Chautauqua County Republican Committee and Conservative Committee, meanwhile, have endorsed Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello for the open seat.
Young resigned her longtime position to take a leadership role at Cornell AgriTech.
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