About face: Dems appoint Torres as Election Commissioner
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Saying it's "time to heal and move on" the Chautauqua County Legislature has officially appointed Luz Torres as the Democratic Election Commissioner. Her appointment was unanimously backed, including by the five Democratic legislators who two months ago sought to put Loren Kent in the position.
Legislator Chuck Nazzaro of Jamestown serves as the Democratic Minority Caucus leader. He spoke before the vote to appoint Torres. "After careful consideration of our options, we decided it is in the best interest in the Democratic Party to move forward and start the healing process," he said.
The appointment of Torres as Democratic Election Commissioner has been debated for several months. She was originally nominated to the position in October when the Administrative Services Committee backed her appointment. However that resolution was pulled and the full legislature never voted on her nomination for the post.
The legislature later passed on appointing Norman P. Green and Doris Parment to the position, both which were recommended as potential appointments.
Green had been the Democratic Elections Commissioner and retired Dec. 31, while Parment served as the Deputy Democratic Election Commissioner before leaving in February 2018. After her departure Torres took over the deputy position. Torres has served as the acting Democratic Election Commissioner since Green stepped down.
In March, the county legislature appointed Kent as the Democratic Election Commissioner, however the state Supreme Court ruled that appointment was invalid because he was not the recommendation of the County Democratic Committee. Kent had come in second to Torres last year when the county Democratic Committee held a virtual meeting. Kent has served as the county Democratic Committee's secretary for around 20 years.
During Wednesday night's meeting, Nazzaro said although the minority caucus disagreed with Judge Lynn W. Keane's ruling that they couldn't appoint Kent, he said they decided not appeal it.
He continued to be critical of how Torres was nominated by the party. "The caucus still believes that the process used by the Democratic County Committee to recommend an election commissioner was flawed and they did not follow proper procedures," he said.
Nazzaro did not explain Wednesday night what process the Democratic County Committee failed to follow. In the past he has accused Green of "stacking the deck" by putting Democratic committee members on committees where they did not live. Green is the county Democratic Committee Chairman.
Legislator Christine Starks, D-Fredonia, expressed her desire to move on as well. "My sincere hope is that we will be able to move forward with integrity," she said.
Torres, who is Hispanic, will be the first person of color to serve as a department head in Chautauqua County.
Legislator Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk, said throughout this process when the caucus supported Kent, they were called "racist" and "sexist," which he strongly denies. "That was never, ever said or discussed during this whole process," he said.
A number of Republican legislators spoke in favor of Torres as well.
Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, was previously the Republican Election Commissioner before he retired and later joined the county legislature. "I've always found (Torres) to be well informed and helpful. I congratulate her on her appointment as election commissioner and wish her the best," he said.
Legislator Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown, agreed. "I'm really impressed with what she's offered and what she's done," she said.
After the meeting Green was reached and asked for a response. He replied, "Tonight, the Chautauqua County Legislature unanimously accepted and confirmed the appointment of Luz Torres as the Chautauqua County Democratic Election Commissioner. She has served as a loyal and competent deputy to me and for the party. She deserved this promotion and the party and the public is lucky to have Luz serving our election needs. The Board of Elections is in good hands."