Attorney George Panebianco attempted to bring some unity to a fragmented group of about eight Democrats before the ballots were to be counted at the Lewis & Lewis Law Office in Jamestown. He talked about the upcoming November presidential election.

It sparked some friendly banter, but tensions remained. Democrats, who have been in-fighting for the last eight months, were deciding on a possible new direction during the reorganization meeting that was held in the law offices.

That did not happen at the top after all the ballots were counted. Norman Green was re-elected as chairman despite facing a challenge Judith Einach. Luz Torres also was the apparent choice for election commissioner, narrowly defeating Loren Kent, who won as party secretary. Green is retiring from the election commissioner post, with his successor needed to be approved by the County Legislature.

There were other changes. First Vice Chair Don Williams, who worked against his own party in regard to the re-election of Dunkirk city Mayor Wilfred Rosas last year and current county executive candidate Richard Morrisroe, is out. Rosas, ironically, will be taking that position.

Due to the pandemic, all ballots came to the Lewis & Lewis Law Offices and were overseen by Panebianco. “I personally witnessed every ballot that went in … but no one else touched the ballots,” he said.

County Democrats have been losing clout in terms of number of offices held. In Chautauqua County, only one major office is held by the party and that is by Patrick Swanson, district attorney. Swanson is seeking re-election while other Democrats, including Christina Cardinale for Assembly and Morrisroe also will be on the November ballot.