MAYVILLE - Incumbent County Judge John T. Ward and state Assemblyman Andy Goodell were the big winners Thursday, receiving additional third-party nominations for November's general election
Ward, the Ashville Republican seeking his third 10-year term behind the bench, swept attorney William F. Coughlin in the primary election. Coughlin, a Democratic legislator out of Fredonia, is the former county assistant district attorney and public defender.
"I just want to thank everyone who has worked on my behalf," Ward said late Thursday. "Having those two additional party lines is important, but I still have an election to win and I'm not going to hold back now. I love my job."
For the Independence Party nomination, Ward received almost 60 percent of the votes, according to unofficial results by the county Board of Elections.
"He worked hard to get it," said Thom Shagla, county Independence Party chairman, of Ward's nomination. "The people have decided, and they think he will be the standard bearer for the Independence Party."
He added: "If Coughlin wins I think he will do some great things, as well. I'm glad the people made the decision because I think both candidates have some good qualities."
Fact Box
Cattaraugus County Primary
Unofficial Election Results:
-
City Of Olean Alderman Ward 5 - REP
Jonathon Teachman: 16
James Finch: 62
Write-in votes: 1
Total: 79
City Of Salamanca Mayor - DEM
Carmen Vecchiarella: 399
Edward Dry: 319
Write-in: 2
Total: 720
City Of Salamanca Alderman Ward 4 - DEM
Michael Smith: 82
Sandra Magiera: 88
Write-in: 0
Total: 170
Town Of Allegany
Highway Superintendent - DEM
Donald Yehl: 75
John Moshier: 94
Daniel French: 82
Write-in: 1
Total: 252
Ashford Town Justice - REP
Carl Stiles: 147
Stephen Kowalski: 43
Write-in: 1
Total: 191
Perrysburg Town Justice - REP
Constance Johnson: 55
Lori Dankert: 58
Write-in: 1
Total: 114
Perrysburg Town Justice - CON
Constance Johnson: 1
Lori Dankert: 0
Write-in: 0
Total: 1
Perrysburg Town Justice - IND
Constance Johnson: 9
Lori Dankert: 8
Write-in: 0
Total: 17
As for the Conservative Party nomination, Ward's victory was a little easier, receiving 80 percent of the votes. Going into the election, the incumbent judge had received the full-backing of the county Conservative Party.
"We have never seen anything like this," said Anna Wilcox, Conservative Party chairwoman, of Ward's overwhelming victory. "He crushed Coughlin and I'm ecstatic. Ward will uphold the Conservative values, which is why we endorsed him."
In other races, state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Chautauqua County, received the Independence Party nomination, defeating former legislator Rudy Mueller, a Lakewood Democrat.
"A lot of people have helped me and I appreciate the support," Goodell said. "I enjoy serving the people of Chautauqua County and I hope to continue serving them."
Goodell, who is completing his first term in the 150th Assembly District, won 57 percent of the votes for the nomination.
Meanwhile, in the town of Charlotte, Republican voters tapped Mark LeBaron for the vacant highway superintendent position. LeBaron, who received 66 votes (56 percent), also has secured the Democratic endorsement for the position.
According to Norm Green, county Democratic election commissioner, voter turnout was low.
"It was really to me what I expected," Green said. "It was low."