FREDONIA – Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson will face a Republican challenger in the 2020 election.
Fredonia native Jason Schmidt recently filed the necessary petitions with the Chautauqua County Conservative Party, according to the Chautauqua County Board of Elections website. Schmidt told WNYNewsNow Friday that he is running, but declined to comment further on the race due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
“There will be a time and place to discuss the issues and distinguish myself from my opponent (Swanson), but now is not the time for political maneuvering,” Schmidt said. “It’s a time for all of us to come together and not draw lines. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone during this crisis.
Schmidt, currently a private defense attorney, ran unsuccessfully against then-Acting District Attorney Swanson in 2016. Schmidt previously spent time in the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s office under former DA David Foley, who is now a county judge.
The candidate also served under former DA James P. Subjack.
The Board of Elections website doesn’t show a potential primary opponent for Schmidt, who received the Republican Party endorsement last month. Swanson also doesn’t appear to have a primary challenger.
Swanson previously received the Democratic Party endorsement.
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