Andrew Liuzzo, At-Large Jamestown City councilman, pictured Saturday in front of A-1 Auto Service on Winsor Street in Jamestown as he announces his bid for mayor. Liuzzo noted the need for fiscal responsibility and sustainability in his address for mayor. Photo by Daryl Simons Jr.

The Chautauqua County Libertarian Party has endorsed Andrew Liuzzo for Jamestown mayor.

The party made the endorsement at its meeting Thursday. That means Liuzzo, who was defeated in June in the Republican Party primary by David Wilfong, would have one line on the ballot if he chooses to mount a campaign. Wilfong will have the Republican and Conservative party lines while Edward Sundquist will have the Democratic, Independence and Working Families party lines.

Several candidates were interviewed by Chautauqua County Libertarian Party officials over the past few months. On Thursday, several candidates were present to give their closing statements. Following the closing statements, the committee discussed each of the candidates and made a final decision.

The committee also chose to endorse Raven Mason-Thompson for an at-large position on the City Council. Mason-Thompson had mounted a challenge to Anthony Dolce, R-Ward 2, for the Republican endorsement in Ward 2 but was defeated in the June primary. She will now run at-large against Gregory Lindquist, endorsed by the Conservative and Republican parties; Jeffrey R. Russell, endorsed by the Conservative and Republican parties; Kim Ecklund, endorsed by the Republican, Independence and Conservative parties; Greg Rabb, endorsed by the Democratic, Independence and Working Families parties; Tamu Graham-Reinhardt, endorsed by the Democratic, Independence and Working Families parties; and Taylor C. Scott, endorsed by the Democratic and Working Families parties.

In addition to Liuzzo and Mason-Thompson, endorsed candidates are: Dolce for the Jamestown City Council in Ward 2, Brittnay Spry for Jamestown City Council in Ward 4, Dennis Welka for Dunkirk City Council Ward 1, Rudy Mueller for Busti town supervisor, Russell Payne for Carroll town supervisor, Daniel Heitzenrater for Ellicott Town Council in Ward 4, Susan Baldwin for Villenova Town Council, John Dudley Robinson for Villenova Town Council, Ron Hall for Chautauqua County Legislator in District 1, Christopher Schaeffer for Chautauqua County Legislator in District 3, Terry Niebel for Chautauqua County Legislator in District 5, and Bill Ward for Chautauqua County Legislator in District 18.

Prior to Thursday’s meeting, the party had already nominated Gerrit Cain for Chautauqua County Legislator District 16 and Ryan Sanders for Sherman Village Trustee. Other potential candidates will be voted upon in August.

“We want to thank all of the candidates who reached out to us and showed an interest in our party,” said Andrew Martin Kolstee, party chairman. “We look forward to continuing this open dialogue on the issues that face our communities. More and more people are embracing the ideals of the Libertarian Party and we look forward to continuing to promote our message and party with our candidates.”