Norman Green

It could be an intriguing race for Chautauqua County executive this November if the Working Families Party has anything to say about it.

Robert Dando, vice chair of the county party, confirmed to The Post-Journal and OBSERVER this week that Norman P. Green has received the party’s endorsement for the top post in county. He also said during the interview that Green is a “place holder” until another possible candidate can be found.

According to New York state election law, “an election commissioner shall not be a candidate for any elective office which he would not be entitled to hold under the provisions of this article, unless he has ceased by resignation or otherwise, to be commissioner prior to his nomination or designation therefor. Otherwise such nomination or designation shall be null and void.”

Green, who is currently the county Democratic Election Commissioner, was told in January during the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting he would not be approved again for that post.

That puts a great deal of uncertainty in that important position moving forward. It also could open the door to a possible run.

Green also serves as chair of the county Democratic party, which has faced struggles in winning high-profile elections in the county and state in recent years. Dando, in a phone interview, noted the current political landscape is not conducive to finding new candidates.

“Nobody wants to run in this atmosphere. … It’s so divisive,” he said.

Incumbent Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel in November defeated Democratic challenger Richard Morrisroe handily in winning a one-year term that was started by current state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay that began in 2018.