Amidst a rash of unopposed races outside of the Jamestown area are two contested seats on the Chautauqua County Legislature.

The races are a carbon copy of each other – and in this case that could be a good thing for voters in those legislative districts.

In District 19, Braiden McElhaney is young and energetic about his opportunity to serve the Westfield-Ripley region. If he is elected, we are certain he will be a vocal individual on just about every significant issue that comes before the Legislature. His challenger, Frederick S. Johnson, is more laid back when it comes to the campaign. As a successful owner of Johnson Estates Winery, Johnson is in tune to the economic dynamics and needs of the district.

In District 16, Dalton Anthony is facing Amy Thompson to represent the Poland, Kennedy and Frewsburg areas. Anthony is a two-year member of the Carroll Town Board who, like McElhaney, is a youthful breath of fresh air. Thompson is a teacher at Frewsburg Central School who also teaches courses at Jamestown Community College while taking part in a laundry list of community organizations that include the Boy Scouts, American Legion Auxiliary and the Jamestown Area Community Orchestra.

The important thing in this instance is that voters have a good choice to make. Any of these four candidates will make excellent legislators if elected, even if they would do so for completely different reasons. We offer no endorsement here, other than to say voters face a tough choice.