David Wilfong

A Chautauqua County legislator from Jamestown is resigning.

David Wilfong, a Republican who most recently joined the county legislature in January, 2022, announced during Wednesday’s legislature meeting that he is stepping down, effective immediately.

Wilfong, who was elected as the Republican majority leader in January, is also a member of the legislature’s Audit and Control, and Planning and Economic Development committees, and the Airport Commission.

Wilfong said he is relocating out of state.

“I just want to thank all of you past and present legislators as myself and my wife head to Florida. I just want you to know when you read the statistics of people leaving the state and they’re going to other places, the Wilfongs are one of them,” he said.

Wilfong defeated incumbent Legislator Bob Whitney, a Democrat, in November, 2021. Whitney also challenged Wilfong in November, 2023, but again lost to the Republican.

Wilfong had been a legislator before then. After serving in the legislature from 2014-19, Wilfong chose not to run for re-election but instead ran for mayor of Jamestown. He lost in 2019 to Eddie Sunquist, a Democrat.

“I ran for mayor but was not successful. Still I got a lot of votes. I think I could have done a great job on that,” Wilfong said.

According to Republican Election Commissioner Brian Abram, Wilfong’s seat will not be up for election until 2025. “Since the resignation is after August 5, the position won’t appear on the 2024 ballot. The Chautauqua County Charter then determines how a replacement is made to fill the position,” he said.

Abram noted the District Committee will meet and recommend a candidate to the full legislature for approval. A district committee is made up of the elected committee members that are serving within the election districts that encompass that particular legislative district.

Wilfong had been the legislative representative for District 11. According to Abram, the District Committee members from the city of Jamestown will include Ward 3 District 1, Ward 3 District 4, Ward 4 District 1, and Ward 4 District 2.

The new appointed legislator will be required to run in 2025 if that person wants to remain on the legislature. County legislative terms are two years, however all 19 legislative positions are up next year for a one-year term to put them on the ‘even year’ schedule. The state has moved town and most county elections to occur the same year as the gubernatorial or presidential elections. Constitutionally protected offices, which would include county clerk, district attorney and sheriff are not required to change. Cities and villages are also not affected by the change.