Of the 38 municipalities with races this fall, only 14 have at least one competitive race. File photo

When it comes to local elections, the majority of incumbents won’t face an opponent.

Of the 38 municipalities with races this fall in Chautauqua County, only 12 have at least one competitive race. The other 25 municipalities do not have a single race. That equals about 32%. And in many of those municipalities, only one or two of the various races on the ballot are competitive.

Of the 45 races in the 12 municipalities with a contested race, 26 of those races are uncontested. That means there’s only 19 local races in the entire county that are contested.

County races have a little bit more competition but not much.

Excluding judges, of the four countywide offices – executive, sheriff, clerk, and district attorney – two are up this year with the executive and clerk both having competitive races. This year’s clerk race does not have an incumbent, as Larry Barmore is not running for re-election. The last time Barmore ran for re-election in 2021, he had an opponent as well.

The last time the district attorney office and the sheriff’s office were up, 2024 and 2022 respectively, they were uncontested.

For county court judge, there is not a contested race this year. Last year’s Family Court race did have a contested race, but it was for an open seat. In 2019, the surrogate court race was uncontested.

Of the 19 county legislative seats, eight have competitive races, which is about 42%. Two seats will have a new representative, with the incumbent not returning, but those districts failed to have a competitive race. Currently Republicans hold a supermajority of seats, with 14 Republicans and five Democrats. Of the 11 uncontested races, eight are held by Republicans and three are held by Democrats. Of the eight contested races, six have a Republican incumbent and three have a Democratic incumbent.

Below is a full list of local elections for Southern Chautauqua County residents.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTYWIDE ELECTIONS

COUNTY COURT JUDGE – Incumbent David Foley is running unopposed for County Court Judge. He is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. The term is for 10 years and is not affected by the change in election years.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE – Incumbent PJ Wendel is seeking re-election against challenger Tom Carle. Wendel is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, while Carle is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. Because of the change in election years, the term will be for three years instead of four.

COUNTY CLERK – Gregory Carlson is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, while Gregory Krauza is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. Incumbent Larry Barmore is not running for re-election.

COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

The following is a breakdown of who is running and where.

DISTRICT 7 – This district includes the towns of Stockton and Portland, including the villages of Cassadaga and Brocton, as well as part of the town of Chautauqua. Incumbent Johnathan Penhollow is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is unopposed.

DISTRICT 8 – This district includes the towns of North Harmony and Ellery, including the village of Bemus Point, as well as part of the town of Chautauqua. Incumbent Pierre Chagnon is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is unopposed.

DISTRICT 9 – This district includes part of the city of Jamestown. Incumbent Phil Landy is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is being challenged by Vincent DeJoy III, who is running on the Democratic and Taxpayer’s lines.

DISTRICT 10 – This district includes parts of the towns of Busti and Ellicott, the village of Lakewood, and part of the city of Jamestown. Incumbent Jamie Gustafson is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. She is being challenged by Julie Jackson-Forsberg, who is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

DISTRICT 11 – This district includes part of the city of Jamestown. Tamara Dickey is the current legislator. She is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. She is being challenged by Robert Whitney Jr., who is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

DISTRICT 12 – This district includes part of the city of Jamestown. Incumbent Frederick Larson is running on the Democratic and Tax Payer’s lines. He is being challenged by Jeffrey Russell, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

DISTRICT 13 – This district includes part of the city of Jamestown. Incumbent Thomas Nelson is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. He is being challenged by Joe Tickle, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

DISTRICT 14 – This district includes the towns of Ellington, Charlotte, Gerry, including the village of Sinclairville, and parts of the town of Ellicott and Poland. Incumbent Daniel Pavlock is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is unopposed.

DISTRICT 15 – This district includes part of the town of Ellicott, including the villages of Celoron and Falconer. Incumbent Lisa Vanstrom is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. She is unopposed.

DISTRICT 16 – This district includes the towns of Kiantone, Carroll, and part of the town of Poland. Incumbent Dalton Anthony is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is unopposed.

DISTRICT 17 – This district includes the towns of Clymer and Harmony, as well as the villages of Clymer and Panama, as well as part of the town of Busti. Incumbent Travis Heiser is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is being challenged by Melissa First, who is running on the Democratic and Taxpayer’s lines.

DISTRICT 18 – This district includes part of the town of Chautauqua, including the village of Mayville, the towns of French Creek, Mina, and village and town of Sherman. Martin Proctor is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is unopposed.

DISTRICT 19 – This district includes the towns of Ripley and Westfield, including the village of Westfield. Incumbent Fred Johnson is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. He is unopposed.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

BEMUS POINT – There are no contested races in the village. Jeffrey Molnar is running for mayor on the Republican line. Lawrence Wallace is running for town justice on the Republican line. For the two trustee seats, Maureen Stahley and David Chertoff are both running on the Republican line.

BUSTI – There are four candidates running for town council two seats. Todd Hanson is running on the Republican and Conservative lines; Tyler Nelson is running on the Republican line; and Gregory Juul III and Michael Pisko are running on the Democratic line. For town justice, Sean Uber is running unopposed on the Republican line.

CARROLL – There are three candidates running for highway superintendent. Chad Allison is running on the Democratic line; Michael Walker is running on the Republican line; and Terry Eckman is running on the Conservative line. The rest of the offices are unopposed. For town supervisor, Timothy Burkett is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. For town council vacancy, Paul Oyer is running on the Republican line. For two town council seats, John Barber and Justin Lingenfelter are both running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

CASSADAGA – There is one name listed on the ballot for two trustee seats. Jeffrey Frick is running for trustee. For mayor, Rudy Abersold is running on the Republican line. There is an active write-in campaign going on as well for Nancy Wickmark for mayor and Bill Dorman for trustee.

CELORON – There are no contested races in the village. Scott Schrecengost is running for mayor on the Citizen line. For the two trustee seats, Joshua Glover and Michael Moss are both running on the Citizen line.

CHARLOTTE – There are no contested races in the town. Francis Lauricella Jr. is running for town supervisor on the Republican and Conservative lines. Susan Peacock is running for town clerk on the Republican and Conservative lines. Mark LeBaron is running for highway superintendent on the Republican line. For the two town council seats, Larry Green and Scott Dibble are running on the Republican line.

CHAUTAUQUA TOWN – There are no contested races in the town. For the two town council seats, Thomas Carlson is running on the Republican line, while Leroy Parker is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

CHERRY CREEK – There are two seats open for town council, with one candidate on the ballot. Becky Rowicki is running on the Republican line. The other races are also unopposed. James Abbey is running for town supervisor on the Republican line. Mia Abbey is running for town clerk on the Republican line. Kenneth Chase is running for highway superintendent on the Republican line.

CLYMER – There are no contested races in Clymer. For the two town council seats, Leonard Neckers Jr. and Todd Kolstee are both running on the Republican line. Lori Carutis is running for town tax collector on the Republican line. Denis Cooper is running for town justice, which includes Sherman, Mina, French Creek and Clymer.

ELLERY – There are no contested races in the town. Lawrence Anderson is running for supervisor on the Republican line. Lawrence Wallace is running for justice on the Republican line. For the two council seats, John Cresanti and Jeremy Crist are both running on the Republican line.

ELLICOTT – There are no contested races in the town. For Council Ward 1, James Rensel is running on the Democratic and Conservative lines. For Council Ward 2, Robert White is running on the Republican line. For Council Ward 3, Katy Whitmore is running on the Republican line. For Council Ward 4, Kenneth Swan is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. For highway superintendent, Robert Pickett Jr. is running on the Republican line. For justice, Sally Jaroszynski is running on the Democratic, Conservative, and Working Families lines.

ELLINGTON – There are three candidates running for two town council seats. Barbara Beightol is running on the Democratic and Republican lines; Barbara Miller is running on the Democratic line; and Kevin Colburn is running on the Republican line. In addition, Loren Kent is running unopposed for council vacancy on the Democratic line.

FALCONER – There are no contested races in the village. For two trustee seats, Anthony Cavallaro is running on the Democratic line, while Nikki Pierce is running on the created Nikki Pierce line.

FRENCH CREEK – There are no contested races in the town. For two council seats, Wayne Emory and Norvel Willink are running on the Republican line. Denis Cooper is running for justice, which includes Sherman, Mina, French Creek and Clymer.

GERRY – There are no contested races in the town. Richard Heath is running for supervisor on the Republican line. Jodi Fehlman is running for clerk on the Republican line. Brian Anderson is running for highway superintendent on the Republican line. For the two council seats, Jamie Ansell and Todd Wissman are both running on the Republican line.

HARMONY – There are no contested races in the town. For the two council seats, David Hinderer and Peter Radka are both running on the Republican line.

JAMESTOWN – Three of the nine city council positions are contested. For Ward 3, Regina Brackman is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines, while Seth States is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. For Ward 4, Douglas Scotchmer is running on the Democratic and Taxpayer’s lines, while Joseph Paterniti is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. For Ward 5, Hannah Jaroszynski is running on the Democratic and Taxpayer’s lines, while Danny Hickman is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. For Ward 1, Brent Sheldon is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines. For Ward 2, Anthony Dolce is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines. For Ward 6, Andrew Faulker is running unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines. For the three city councilmember at large positions, Jeremy Engquist is running on the Democratic line, while Russell Bonfiglio and Michael Zanghi are running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

KIANTONE – There are no contested races in the town. Joshua Ostrander is running for supervisor on the Republican line. Gail Davis running for clerk on the Republican line. Robert Carlson is running for highway superintendent on the Democratic and Conservative lines. For the two council seats, Richard Landman Jr. and Kurt Sturzenbecker are both running on the Republican lines. For justice, Mindy Ostrander is running on the Republican line.

LAKEWOOD – There are three candidates running for two trustee seats. Kristan McMahon is running on the Democratic and Taxpayer’s lines; and Ben Troche and John Shedd are running on the Republican line. In addition, two candidates are running for trustee vacancy. John Jablonski is running on the Democratic and Taxpayer’s lines, while Scott Cooper is running on the Republican line.

MINA – There are no contested races in the town. Rebecca Brumagin is running for supervisor on the Democratic line. Marcellanne Park is running for clerk on the Republican line. Alvin Kopta is running for highway superintendent on the Republican line. For the two council seats, Brian Sullivan and Richard Watrous are both running on the Republican line. Denis Cooper is running for justice, which includes Sherman, Mina, French Creek and Clymer.

NORTH HARMONY – There are no contested races in the town. For the two council seats, Bruce Pfeil and Richard Sena are both running on the Republican line.

PANAMA – There are no contested races in the village. Kyle Rhoades is running for trustee on the Republican line.

POLAND – There are three candidates running for two council seats. Corey Swanson is running on the Democratic line; Elizabeth Smith is running on the Republican line; and Jennifer Fox is running on the Patriot line. For supervisor, Robert Smith and Tommy Fox are running for town supervisor. Smith is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, while Fox is running on the Patriot line. For clerk, Bonnita Wallace is running unopposed on the Republican line.

RIPLEY – There are no contested races in the town. For the two council seats, Lee Swoap is running on the Republican and Democratic lines, while Philip Chimera is running on the Republican, Democratic and Conservative lines.

SHERMAN – There are no contested races in the town. For the two council seats, Benjamin Nickerson and James Weise are running on the Republican line. Denis Cooper is running for justice, which includes Sherman, Mina, French Creek and Clymer.

STOCKTON – There are no contested races in the town. For the two council seats, Hannah Abram and John Sipos Jr. are running on the Republican line. For justice, Jeremy Beicher is running on the Republican line.

VILLENOVA – There are no contested races in the town. For two council seats, Nathan Palmer and Daniel Distasio are both running on the Republican line.

WESTFIELD – There are no contested races in the town. For two council seats, David Spann and William Northrop are both running on the Republican line. For justice, Jerry LaPorte is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.