Lavish, placid Republican legislators may be on hot seat
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Right as the controversial data center issue began to ramp up in the spring, our newspaper received a communication from a fired-up individual. As part of the impassioned discussion, the caller made it clear what she was going to say would be important to the Brocton-Portland community.
Why was that?
Carla Rodriguez responded she was the Democratic-endorsed candidate for District 7 County Legislature. Within two days, her comments hit the print and online editions.
“This is not just about development," she said. "This is about protecting our shoreline, our environment, and the voices of the people who live here, the community, has spoken clearly, and their concerns must be taken seriously. They are against having this project on our shoreline."
Five months later, while signs of opposition remain scattered throughout lawns of the village and town along Routes 5 and 20, the issue has cooled. Rodriguez, however, is still heating up.
Saying consistency matters in representation, she targeted her challenger incumbent Republican Legislator John Penhollow who for the first time voted with other Democrats to give $2 million of the $35 million county surplus back to residents. "Earlier this year, Mr. Penhollow voted against a proposal that included using $2 million from the county's fund balance to provide property-tax relief. Now, only months later, he voted in favor of another proposal calling for $2 million from the fund balance to reduce the property-tax levy."
Before the 2025 election, Republicans dominated the Legislature by a 14-5 margin. Their lackluster support for the two cities likely cost them a pair of seats last November making the margin 12-7.
Can the Democrats keep the momentum going?
Rodriguez at the moment is everything the Legislature is not right now. She speaks her mind -- and through her literature and actions puts residents first.
Republican legislators are not of that mindset. Just think back to July's meeting at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown.
Despite plenty of comments -- including City Council members -- urging the group to delay the vote on an agreement to lease office space at 512 W. Third St. in Jamestown to house the county’s Mental Hygiene and Social Services as well as the Department of Motor Vehicles, legislators turned a deaf ear. It passed 12-5 -- with only one Democrat voting yes -- in what was the longest session of the year.
It was one more example of the GOP legislators having their minds made up during its premeeting caucus. Those gatherings are allowed to be closed to the public, but that is when the real business happens. It comes with directives for the 12 party members on how to vote on resolutions. That process allows the local Republicans to slant public debate.
With September reaching its midpoint, the pressure-cooker of the October campaign trail is not far away. Of the 19 seats in the Legislature, 13 are contested. Two Democrats -- Robert Bankoski of Dunkirk and Sandra Lewis of Fredonia -- and four Republicans -- Jason Merritt, Pierre Chagnon, Daniel Pavlock and Travis Heiser -- are unopposed.
Where will the closest races be? Likely in the cities. In Dunkirk District 1, incumbent Democrat Marcus Buchanan battles Colby Garza. In Jamestown, familiar names -- with Democrats listed first -- include incumbent Vince DeJoy and John Vogan for District 9; Julie Jackson-Forsberg and incumbent Jamie Gustafson for District 10; incumbent Robert Whitney and Jeremy Maggio for District 11; Fred Larson and challenger Brent Sheldon for District 12; and Thomas Nelson and Andrew Faulkner for District 13.
Other contests include: Pomfret Town Board member Michael Lee against longtime incumbent Bob Scudder in Fredonia's District 3; Kevin O'Connell and incumbent Tom Harmon for District 6; Nikki Pierce and incumbent Lisa Vanstrom in District 15; Christopher DeBlass and Dalton Anthony in District 16; Dan Morton and Martin Proctor in District 18; and John Hamels and Fred Johnson in District 19.
What is most important for voters to note in this long era of declining population, is county government swelling shows no signs of slowing down. When the Legislature made the tough choice of selling the Chautauqua County Home in 2014, it decreased employment figures to 1,267 in 2016. In 2025, the number of workers was 1,374 -- an 8.4% increase.
More shocking is the payroll explosion -- from $53 million to $75 million -- a 41.% increase over 10 years.
All that expansion comes from the party that is supposed to want less government -- the Republicans. Add in the county having a $35 million surplus while raising taxes on constituents, and there is reason for Republicans to worry.
This region votes red. That is a huge advantage for candidates with the elephant logo. Nevertheless, if Albany Democrats have a spending addiction, county Republicans are no better while building up reserves for a coming rainy day.
Within the next week, we'll be hearing what County Executive PJ Wendel wants to do with your money in his budget proposal, specifically the enormous surplus. That loss of two seats last year by the GOP could bring added urgency.
Maybe this is the year the county Republicans actually reduce your property tax burden, not just the rate. But don't forget, it may occur only because this is an election year.
It needed to happen long before now.
John D'Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.