Cattaraugus County voters elected the first woman district attorney Tuesday, as Republican Lori Rieman upset incumbent Democrat Edward M. Sharkey.

Mrs. Rieman, a former first assistant district attorney for eight years, beat her old boss by more than 3,200 votes. At various times the returns showed her with a nearly 2 to 1 margin over the three-term district attorney.

With 20 of the county’s 79 districts reporting, she held a commanding lead, but would only say she was “cautious in her optimism.”

Mrs. Rieman joined family, friends, volunteers and Republican officials at the Cattaraugus County Republican headquarters in the 1887 Building in Ellicottville as the returns were posted.

“It’s like waiting for a jury - but not as nerve wracking, Mrs. Rieman said as she stood with her two children, Victor, 10, and Parker, 9, waiting for the next returns to be posted.

As 70 of the 79 districts showed Mrs. Rieman beating Mr. Sharkey by a 7,186 to 4,394 margin, County Republican Chairman Paula Snyder of Olean, commented, “There’s no way she can lose.”

“It was over a long time ago,” said volunteer Mike Briskee, who was monitoring the vote and reporting updates.

“I’m thrilled to death for her,” Mrs. Snyder said. “This campaign has been so much fun. She’s worked like a dog. She’s a wonderful candidate. Law enforcement was solidly behind her. Her committee, her campaign team and the volunteers made the difference.”

Mrs. Snyder added, “She’s going to be a superb district attorney. Clearly, the people in Cattaraugus County wanted a change. She’s talented and passionate.”

Among the first to congratulate Mrs. Rieman were her husband, Craig, and her sons. Others who were quick to congratulate her were Acting Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb, who was unopposed, and former sheriff Jerry E. Burrell, a county legislator and campaign adviser.

“I’m really excited for Jan. 1,” Mrs. Rieman said. “I thank the police officers for their support and all the wonderful friends and family of mine who helps so much. People had faith in me. I think part of the reason for my winning was me getting out and meeting people, and word of mouth by jurors who had seen us in action.”

Mrs. Rieman expressed surprise at her upset win and had not prepared a statement. “I thank all of you for your hard work,” she told about 30 volunteers who gathered in the gymnasium in the 1887 Building. “I’m really looking forward to Jan. 1. I really think we are going to have a better county.”

Mr. Sharkey said, “I called my opponent and congratulated her and offered to help with the transition.”

The district attorney, who 12 years ago beat an incumbent, Michael Nevins, said, “I don’t know what happened. I thought we ran a good campaign. I’m grateful for the 12 years voters gave me as district attorney. I’ll move on to the next phase” of my life.

Mr. Sharkey said his losses were across the county.

“It’s obvious they (voters) felt there was a need for a change,” he said.

Countywide, just more than 1,000 absentee ballots were mailed out and 648 have been returned, far short of the 3,277 votes that separate the district attorney candidates.

Mrs. Rieman polled all her 8,282 votes on the Republican line, while Mr. Sharkey had the Democratic line with 3,942 votes, the Independence Party line with 504 votes and the Conservative line with 559 votes.

“I’m not sure what happened” in the district attorney’s race, said County Democratic Chairman Joyce Melfi Tuesday night from Democratic headquarters on North Union Street in Olean. “I’m surprised about that loss. He was down in the city - that surprised me.”

Linda Witte, the apparently successful Democratic mayoral candidate in Olean, was also surprised at the magnitude of Mr. Sharkey’s loss in Olean where she topped incumbent Republican David Carucci by 185 votes. Mayor Carucci has not conceded the election, however, as approximately 300 absentee ballots remain to be counted.

“I guess they just wanted change,” she said of voters. “Sometimes when you are in office for a long time, people want a change.”

(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com)

Reader Comments

There are 6 comment(s) comments to this story.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bradfordera.com.

Realist Guy wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:41 AM:

" Why are there no real good candidates anymore? ABANDON SHIP! "

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Impatial Observer wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:41 AM:

" She did what she needed to get elected. Now can she do the job? "

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Rieman Fan wrote on Nov 5, 2009 2:43 PM:

" Realist Guy-why don't you run?

Impartial Observer-I have faith in her, she'll do great "

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Realist Guy wrote on Nov 5, 2009 4:21 PM:

" I would absolutely love to run for mayor. Of course, Olean would never elect a realist and my whole campaign would be a waste of my money. The city elects people with unrealistic ideas. I live just outside of town so I don't think I could. Don't you have to be a city resident? If not, then come the next election, you'll see signs that say, "VOTE FOR.........." "

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Rieman Fan wrote on Nov 5, 2009 4:47 PM:

" Realist Guy-I meant run for DA, you said there are no real good candidates anymore, this article is on the DA race, not the Mayorial race. I know both Sharkey and Rieman, trust me, Rieman was the best choice by leaps and bounds! "

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Realist Guy wrote on Nov 6, 2009 3:50 PM:

" Haha. I had two windows open simultaneously. I don't want to be DA. I'm sure she'll do fine. Fresh minds deliver fresh results. I'm sure many, many, many people will go to jail. Probably even some that don't deserve it. It happens. The more people prosecuted, the more we pay in taxes. Get ready for a thinner wallet, if it isn't skin and bones already. "

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