Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas, who may be the most powerful Democrat in the county, did not win re-election handily in 2019. OBSERVER File Photo

Healing has not come easy in the last four months. Losses in the major local state and county elections were far from minimal. They were downright staggering.

Loyalties also have been fractured in the aftermath. There’s been petty infighting in the north and south county that adds to a lack of direction.

It is obvious the Chautauqua County Democrats are far from unified. All one needed to witness was the October vote when incumbent Chairman Norman Green was chosen to stay in control by virtue of a vote overseen by the Lewis & Lewis attorneys in Jamestown.

Green’s win was a close call — unlike those fall decisions. It also set the stage for additional controversy. Luz Torres was selected in that same gathering to become the next election commissioner. That, for one reason or another, has not sat well with a segment of county legislators in Mayville.

As of today, that position — currently held by Green — is up in the air. During the January Chautauqua County Legislature meeting held on Zoom, Green seemed to be pleading with the Legislature to let him stay in the role.

“This is the first Legislature that hasn’t approved me for appointment (in 22 years) … I accepted that. I didn’t give up,” he said.

His more than five-minute comment brought no emotion or response from the 19 legislators. It even appeared uncomfortable at times.

All things considered, the team of Green and Brian Abram, Republican election commissioner, has done an excellent job of following strict guidelines with impeccable counts when running a variety of votes. Looking around the nation, we know that is not always the case.

Whoever succeeds Green will have some big shoes to fill. In the meantime, one thing remains unclear: just how prepared is Green to leave the political scene?

Last week, as reported in The Post-Journal and OBSERVER, Green won the endorsement of the Working Families Party for Chautauqua County executive. Robert Dando, party vice chair, confirmed the nod but said he could be in that position as only a “place holder.”

Needless to say, the choice has sparked plenty of discussion, especially with fellow Democrats — those who side with Green and those who do not. For the record, the party chaired by the potential candidate has tapped Richard Morrisroe for the top post.

Morrisroe knew the issues but lacked a fire during his campaign. Add in a global pandemic that led to an increased visibility for current Executive PJ Wendel and Morrisroe’s efforts sputtered.

Green, in an effort to save his sinking party, could be considering challenging Wendel this year. While he faces long odds — just based on recent results — he’s no stranger and has name recognition. Just like any politician, he also carries a mix of positive and negative sentiment.

Just how far behind are the county Democrats today when compared to their counterparts? The only major offices they hold in this county are in the two cities as mayors with Wilfred Rosas in Dunkirk and Eddie Sundquist in Jamestown.

With this being the third year of early voting, there is an added pressure on parties to come up with candidates immediately. As organized as the county Republicans are, they have had some struggles finding those willing to run.

But since they’re in command, holding all the major local offices as well as a large majority of the County Legislature, they have almost no pressure.

Democrats are on the flip side. They still have a lot of sorting out to do. This is not just a local issue — it affects us statewide.

Even as Gov. Andrew Cuomo grapples with turmoil, New York remains true blue — with the exception of many rural upstate counties. So while we lean red, times are tough as Chautauqua County — in terms of poverty — is the poorest in the state.

Leadership from Albany — or from regional Republicans — has not addressed those issues.

“We are just written off by state Democrats. … We’re just left to hang,” said Judith Einach, who is running for Westfield village trustee and previously challenged Assemblyman Andrew Goodell in 2018.

There’s an obvious imbalance of leadership here. It tilts right because that has become the comfort zone for so many voters.

Rebuilding the local left will require some gambles and time. If Green is truly running, that may be the ultimate shake-up that is needed for a party facing dire circumstances.

John D’Agostino is the editor of the OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 366-3000, ext. 253.