By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Cattaraugus County Democrats have joined Republicans in nominating a candidate in the special election to succeed retired Sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb.
On Sunday, the Cattaraugus County Democratic Committee nominated Denny “DJ” Whitmore of Little Valley as its candidate for sheriff.
Whitmore is a Gulf War veteran and worked for the federal Bureau of Prisons for 30 years.
Whitmore will face Acting Sheriff Eric Butler, who was nominated last week by the Cattaraugus County Republican Committee.
Butler served as undersheriff for Whitcomb for 15 years. He retired effective Aug. 2. Butler was nominated by Republicans on Aug. 5.
Cattaraugus County Acting Democratic Chairman Austin Morgan confirmed Whitmore’s nomination for sheriff on Monday. “It was unanimous,” he added.
Morgan noted that the Democratic Party had cross-endorsed Whitcomb, a registered Republican, in each of his campaigns for sheriff. That cross endorsement for Whitcomb came “because we knew he shared our ideals about public service and public safety.”
Morgan said that with Whitcomb’s resignation, “the GOP machine is trying to install its hand-picked replacement, indignant that someone like DJ Whitmore would come and disrupt the good ol’ boys’ network. That’s not our vision for our next sheriff, and that’s not the integrity and leadership that the people of Cattaraugus County deserve.”
Morgan added: “The people of Cattaraugus County could not have a better candidate for sheriff than DJ Whitmore. His lifelong track record of selfless service to his community and his country stand head-and-shoulders above the competition. This election is about who will build a department based on public safety, community partnership, crime prevention, and above all, high standards of excellence and accountability.”
Whitmore said, “It is my mission to serve our county’s citizens with honesty and integrity. I will work with residents, local leaders, and law enforcement to successfully tackle rising crime, recidivism rates, and the well-being of our communities. As a veteran of the Gulf War, 30-year servant and leader within the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and lifelong believer in the value of volunteerism and service to others, I could not be more proud to offer a new vision for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s office.”
“Our citizens deserve to know that their county government is more than political insiders and patronage positions-it is a sacred duty to serve, and that’s why I’m running,” Whitmore said.
