CCDC elects new officers at its September Reorganization Meeting

PRESS RELEASE:

Sept. 26, 2026 - Elmira, NY

The Chemung County Democratic Committee held its reorganizational meeting to elect new committee officers on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Congratulations to Halie Saunders, who was elected as the incoming Chair of the committee. Also re-elected were Tina Kane as Committee Treasurer, Meg Magnusen as Committee Secretary, Willie Owens as City Chair and Mary Collins as Chemung County Election Commissioner. Mary Carr was newly elected as Towns Chair. Owens, Jim & Mary Carr, and Councilwoman Jackie Wilson will continue serving as State Party Representatives. Anthony Contando & Jennifer Russell will serve as Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer, respectively.

Congratulations also to the new District Leaders of the city of Elmira. District 1: Sherry Saunders, District 2: Marcia Greene, District 3: Meg Magnusen, District 4: Anthony Cantando, District 5: Tim Blandford and District 6: Diane Seifert.  Town District Leaders are Joyce Hyatt for Big Flats, Patsy Stowell for Elmira, Joe Penta and Tom Kager for Horseheads, Ira Manhoff and Bonnie Balok for Southport, Joe Milliken for Van Etten, and Jim Carr for Veteran.

Saunders, at the age of 26, is the youngest Chair ever elected by the CCDC.  A resident of Horseheads, she is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo. She was nominated by now, Chair Emiratis, Jamal Malik, who informed the committee of his decision of not running a week prior.  According to a letter from Malik; “When I was first elected, this Committee was in upheaval, and its membership atmosphere was toxic. During my 4-year tenure as Chair, I’d like to think the Committee improved by achieving harmony in working together, winning more elections, establishing community outreach, a Young Democrats division, the Speaker Series, the Jim Hare Scholarship, and becoming a safe and valuable resource for our community.  While we didn't achieve every goal, we made every effort to implement the needed changes in both city and county government.” Malik received a standing ovation from Committee Members before making his nomination. His final duty as outgoing Chair will be to publicly transfer the seat to Saunders at the CCDC Annual Fall Fundraiser being held October 16^th at Hill Top Inn. Full details on the event, and $60 donation tickets are available at chemungdems.org

Under Chair Saunders, the CCDC will continue working to elect candidates who work to improve the conditions of all Chemung County residents regardless of party affiliation, and to live by their motto: Working for All!

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For further information, contact: Bayyinah Malik, CCDC Media Chair (607) 767-5661

email:  chemungdems@gmail.com