George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, in his new office as the representative of the 57th State Senate District. Borrello was seated in his new position Monday. Submitted photo

MAYVILLE — The chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature has announced his candidacy to be the next county executive.

On Tuesday, PJ Wendel, R-Lakewood, told The Post-Journal that, after discussing the decision with his family, he will be a candidate to fill the vacated position after former County Executive George Borrello was officially seated as state senator for the 57th District Monday. Earlier this month, Borrello won the state Senate special election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cathy Young in February.

“After a great deal of thought and consideration with my wife and family, and with overwhelming support from residents throughout the county, I want to serve as our next Chautauqua County executive,” Wendel said.

Wendel was first elected to the county Legislature in 2012. He has been chairman of the legislature for the past two years. He previously chaired the legislature Public Safety Committee. He has also been a member of the Administrative Services and Audit and Control committees.

“My commitment in government began in 2007 as a trustee for the Lakewood Village, (with) the last two years of my five-year term spent as deputy mayor,” he said. “With ties to many different sectors of the counties workforce, police and fire agencies, civic and community organizations, I will use these community relationships to tap into the many great people and leaders here in Chautauqua County to bring our county forward in sustainable housing, and to increase sustainable jobs to keep families here in Chautauqua County.”

The Chautauqua County Republican Committee will make a county executive replacement recommendation to the county legislature to replace Borrello. The legislature most likely will then vote on the Republican Committee’s recommendation.

Wendel said the county Republican Committee has not yet set a date to meet to hear from potential candidates for the vacated county executive position. As far as he knows, Wendel said no other county Republican has publicly announced their candidacy.

In August, the county Legislature passed a local law detailing how a vacancy in the county executive office should be filled. The appointment to be the next county executive will be a member of the same political party. Borrello is a Republican so the next county executive will also be a member of the GOP.

Prior to being county executive, Borrello, who was a county legislator for eight years, was the chairman of the legislature Planning and Economic Development Committee. Mark Odell, R-Brocton, is the current chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Odell told The Post-Journal that he is also considering being a candidate to be the next county executive.

“Indeed I’m in deep consideration,” he said. “Things have moved pretty quickly with the (special state Senate election) and now the seating (of Borrello). The process is now counting down for the GOP committee to convene.”

Odell, who has been a county legislator for four years, ran unopposed for his third term on the legislature earlier this month. He is also a member of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency board.

“I’ve been humbled by being asked by others to consider (a candidacy to be the next county executive),” Odell said.

STATE SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO

On Tuesday, Borrello announced he was seated as the next state Senate representative for the 57th District.

“I am honored and extremely humbled to be the voice and advocate for the 57th District in the state Senate,” Borrello said in a news release. “I look forward to continuing to work with my local government partners in Chautauqua County to advance our future with common-sense, forward-looking solutions.”

County Attorney Stephen Abdella will serve as the acting county executive until a new county executive is confirmed by the County Legislature within 45 days. Borrello’s successor will serve until a new county executive is chosen by county voters during the 2020 general election to fill the remaining year of Borrello’s unexpired term in 2021.