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Julie Jackson-Forsberg of Jamestown is running for the Chautauqua County Legislature seat in District 10.
Jackson-Forsberg is endorsed by the Democratic and Working Families parties. District 10 includes Busti and Lakewood and the neighborhoods surrounding Persell School and Bergman Park in Jamestown and Ellicott.
Jackson-Forsberg began her career as an English teacher and now develops entrepreneurship, employment readiness and personal development curriculum for people in prison. She has an EMBA from RIT's Saunders College of Business and graduated from Hamilton College with a dual degree. She serves on the Busti Planning Board and the YWCA Jamestown board.
"I was once asked why I'm a Democrat," Jackson-Forsberg said. "The answer is simple: I believe in people and in the community we share. I believe the job of our elected officials is to create the conditions giving every one of us greater opportunity to build good lives for ourselves and our families. I grew up here in a Republican household. I moved away and came home with my husband of 33 years, and that experience gave us a deeper appreciation for what this community has to offer--and how much better we can do."
Jackson-Forsberg was critical of county legislators approving a 64% legislative pay increase in 2024 while criticizing legislative Republicans for opposing resolutions to make job creation the county's top economic development goal, increased the county's tax levy and built the county's surplus before County Executive PJ Wendel proposed using $11 million from the surplus as part of his budget.
"We have county leaders who are more committed to holding on to local power and preserving the status quo than they are to improving the lives of you, your family, and our communities," Jackson-Forsberg said. "We need legislators who will listen to you. Legislators who are not afraid to debate issues in public. Who will propose real solutions to affordability, employment, development, homelessness, and public safety instead of offering happy talk. Legislators who hold themselves and their fellow public officials to account."