Jamie Gustafson of Lakewood has been selected as the Republican majority leader for the Chautauqua County Legislature.

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature’s Republican caucus has selected a woman as its majority leader, the first time for the party in at least 25 years.

On Thursday, the legislature held its organizational meeting. Jamie Gustafson of Lakewood was chosen as the majority leader and Lisa Vanstrom was chosen as the assistant majority leader.

Gustafson takes over for Bob Scudder of Fredonia who was selected after David Wilfong of Jamestown resigned from office.

County Legislature Clerk Olivia Lee researched back to 1999 as to all the majority and minority leaders for the county legislature.

Republicans have been in the majority since 2010. Other Republican majority leaders during this time period include John Runkle (2010), Larry Barmore (2011-13), David Himelein (2014-16), PJ Wendel (2017), Pierre Chagnon (2018-19), Frank “Jay” Gould (2020-21), and Tom Harmon (2022-23).

From 1999 to 2009 when Republicans were in the minority, the party was led by James Caflisch (1999-2005) and Fred Croscut (2006-09).

Gustafson isn’t the only female majority leader in the history of the Chautauqua County Legislature. Democrat Maria Kindberg was the majority leader from 2008-09 and before her, Democrat Nancy Barger was the majority leader in 1999.

Gustafson said she was unaware that she will be the first female Republican majority leader in at least 25 years.

“I hadn’t done the research on whether or not me being the first woman. I feel I bring a lot of characteristics and skills to the job that need to be done,” she said after the organizational meeting. “I don’t think gender has a lot to do with it, but it is interesting information.”

Gustafson said she is looking forward to being part of the leadership team “to collaborate with other legislative partners and constituents to ensure there’s great communication, openness and transparency to ensure that we look at both sides and carry the legislature forward in 2025.”

On the Democratic side, Bob Bankoski of Dunkirk was selected as the minority leader and Tom Nelson of Jamestown was selected as the assistant minority leader.

Bankoski has served as the minority leader since 2016. Nelson replaces Susan Parker who resigned in November.

Chagnon, R-Ellery, was again selected as the legislature chairman. The vote was unanimous.

Chagnon has served as chairman of the legislature since 2020.

In his acceptance speech, Chagnon thanked everyone for supporting him.

“In this role I will continue to adhere to high moral standards and do my best to demonstrate servant leadership,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, County Executive Wendel welcomed two new legislators who joined since the last organizational meeting – Tamara Dickey, R-Jamestown, and Tom Carle of Fredonia.

“It’s no doubt we will not agree on everything we do here, but I know without a doubt that you will represent your constituents to the best of your ability,” he said.

Wendel said he believes good things will happen this year.

“What we will do in this legislature will bring Chautauqua County to levels of greatness we haven’t seen in quite some time,” he said.