Submitted Photo Democrat nominee Sandra Lewis is challenging long-time Republican State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell to represent district 150. As a Democrat, Lewis believes she can work with the majority in the state legislature and bring improvements to Chautauqua County.

Six-term Republican State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell is facing a new challenger this November.

Democrat candiate Sandra Lewis is determined to bring positive changes to the county by working with her party’s majority in the State Legislature.

Economic development is the main priority Lewis sees for the region. She explained the county is lacking investment in the economy.

“For New York being the third wealthiest state in the nation, Chautauqua County is ranked last,” she said. “We’re the poorest county. I think that there needs to be some opportunities made available to improve people’s quality of life.”

Lewis said the reduction in businesses and factories in the county has resulted in a serious problem with job opportunities and a loss in population.

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One way she believes the county can reverse this situation is by working closely with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency. She believes that by partnering with the IDA, the county can re-purpose some of its empty facilities.

Lewis said she has seen a large number of businesses closing and empty storefronts in the county. “We need a plan of action to sort of attract and help out businesses, big and small,” she said. “I see that as a big thing.”

For Lewis, the idea of running for office as a public servant has been something she has considered her whole life.

“I’ve always thought about running since I was very young, and the opportunity presented itself and I was asked, so I said yes,” she said.

As the election approaches, Lewis has received the support of her base; however, she said there are parts of the county she is still working on connecting with to increase he voter base in November. The southern portion of the county is one area that she expressed a desire to better connect with.

Lewis’ goal is to work throughout the county to encourage people to make their voice heard in the election.

Lewis recently retired from the State University of New York at Fredonia, after working there for over 33 years. Before working at Fredonia, she taught at a university in Wisconsin. She was heavily involved in her union and lobbying efforts for New York State United Teachers an other organizations, giving her the opportunity to become familiar with the county and state leadership.

While Lewis may lack the political experience of her opponent, she believes her work in public education has given her plenty of experience in public service and prepared her for this position of leadership.

“Someone asked me, ‘How long have you been in public service?’ and I thought about it and I said, ‘I guess all my life.’ I believe working in education is public service as well,” she said.

In addition to her experience as an educator, Lewis served on the redistricting committee, is actively involved in her church, and works with the Chautauqua County I.D.E.A. — Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility — coalition.

As an active member of her community, Lewis said she has served on countless committees and tries to help out wherever she can.

Lewis believes her advantage over Goodell is her party affiliation with the majority in the State’s Legislature. She said cooperation with the Democrat majority could lead to economic opportunities in the county.

“I believe that I will be asked to the table,” she said. “We have an opportunity right now to work with the majority leader, who is a Democrat. I feel that I will be invited to have those discussions and try and bring some money to Chautauqua County. Why not try someone who may have the same ideas as he does, but who will have the opportunity to work with the majority in the legislation?”

Other central components of Lewis’ political platform include education and mental health.

Having served in the field of education for multiple decades, Lewis believes the state needs to take a practical approach to education that will meet the needs of every student and prepare the next generation for a productive life.

Mental health is also fundamentally important to Lewis. She believes the county needs more mental health services and additional mental health workers to help with the increase in the mental health challenges facing the county.

“We have to be a little more transparent, especially with this COVID-19 situation we’ve been dealing with,” she said. “Our students have been dealing with some issues. People are going through some issues.”

Lewis believes addressing the mental health issues in the county should be a top priority.