Democratic Assemblyman Sam Roberts was recently confirmed by the state Senate as the commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. That means he has stepped down from the Assembly. Now, his district seat, which includes parts of Syracuse and the town of Onondaga, is up for grabs.
Syracuse Common Councilor Pamela Hunter won the Democratic nomination to run for the Assembly seat. She already has two other challengers: fellow Common Councilor Jean Kessner and former Onondaga County Legislator David Stott. They will run in a Democratic primary in September.
John Sharon is the Republican candidate running for the spot. He ran for the seat several times in the past. Onondaga County Republican Chairman Tom Dadey said Sharon continues to run knowing there are almost twice as many registered Democrats in the district than Republicans.
“John knows the district, he's been out there campaigning over the last couple of election cycles," Dadey said. "Good things can come about, especially if there is a split after primary day with the Democrats which there appears to be.”
Dadey said he thinks 2015 will be a good year for Republicans running in Onondaga County, including the upcoming legislature elections.
“We have three countywide offices up, all of our incumbents at the countywide level are running and I think that's going to energize our voters to get to the polls," Dadey said. "I think that's going to help a guy like John Sharon on election day.”
Currently, there are 13 Republicans and four Democrats in the Onondaga County Legislature.