Draxler Selected as Legislature Chair

ELMIRA - The Chemung County Legislature unanimously voted to elect Donna L. Draxler as the Chair of the Legislature at its organizational meeting on Monday, April 23, 2012.  Draxler was chosen to fill the unexpired term of Cornelius "Connie" J. Milliken.

Legislator Rodney Strange nominated Draxler noting "she has represented the 14th legislative district with honor and distinction for the past 29 years."  Draxler has served in the legislature longer than any other woman in history. She was the first woman to serve as majority leader and vice chairman and will now be the first woman to hold the position of chairman.

Draxler is a leader on both the state and local level.  She served as chair of the County Republican Committee for 8 years and is currently one of two Chemung County representatives on the New York State Republican Committee. She also serves as Vice Chair of the New York State Association of Counties Resolutions Committee.

A resident of the Town of Southport, Draxler is the widow of the late Chemung County Sheriff Carl F. Draxler.

As her first official duty, Draxler appointed John C. Pastrick as Vice Chairman of the Legislature.  A former Chemung County Sheriff's Deputy, Pastrick has represented the 1st legislative district since 2003. Pastrick resides in the Town of Catlin.