War of words between parties over city legislative district as Nazzaro takes oath of office
War of words between parties over city legislative district as Nazzaro takes oath of office
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Chuck Nazzaro is once again a member of the Chautauqua County Legislature – though for how long is open to debate.
Nazzaro took his oath of office to fill the unexpired term of Vince DeJoy, who resigned earlier this month after moving to North Carolina. Nazzaro's appointment is through Dec. 31. Nazzaro served on the Chautauqua County Legislature for 14 years, finishing his last term in 2022. Nazzaro was first elected to the county legislature in 2008 and served for 14 years. He was a Jamestown City Council member before his election to the legislature. Nazzaro chaired the legislature's Audit and Control Committee when either the Democrats or the Republicans controlled the body.
DeJoy's name remains on the ballot, and should DeJoy receive the most votes in Tuesday's election Nazzaro would need to be appointed again in January.
And, with Election Day less than a week away, there is a war of words between the county Republican and Democratic parties over what a vote for DeJoy would mean.
The Chautauqua County Democratic Committee, working with the Jamestown Democratic Committee, has asked Nazzaro to fill the remainder of DeJoy's term this year and commit to serving through at least 2027 when a special election will be held.
"We were surprised by Vince DeJoy's announcement. We are excited to have a well-respected public servant and civic-minded person such as Chuck Nazzaro to stand in if DeJoy receives the winning number of votes," said Marcia Westling-Johnson, county Democratic Party chair. "It is a short time to voting. We are optimistic that District 9 residents will vote for DeJoy on the ballot knowing that they will be getting Nazzaro as their legislator."
Republicans, in their own news release, said the issue isn't that cut and dried. While Nazzaro has said he will serve in 2027 until a special election is held, there is no requirement that he be the party's appointed choice.
"But what happens after January 1? There is no guarantee that Nazzaro will remain in the seat, leaving voters at the mercy of party insiders and backroom political decisions," the county Republican Party said in a news release.
John Vogan, a Jamestown High School graduate who serves as assistant director of operations at The Resource Center, where he has worked for 15 years, is the Republican candidate for District 9. For 19 years, he has served as varsity wrestling coach for the Southwestern Central School District, and for the past three years, he has served as president of the Jamestown Volleyball Boosters Club.