Onondaga County Republicans are hoping to put the divisiveness of a primary in the 127th Assembly District race behind them.
When all the ballots were counted, only 40 votes separated winner Vince Giordano, and Michael Becallo in the Republican primary for the seat that’s currently held by Democrat Assemblyman Al Stirpe. Becallo’s name will still be on the ballot on the Conservative and Reform Party lines. But he’s asking his supporters to ignore that.
"The best candidate to beat Albany Al Stirpe, is Vince Giordano,” said Becallo at a news conference in Syracuse Thursday.
Giordano says this move obviously helps his campaign.
"This keeps the party together. We’re much stronger now. We can go after our incumbent Mr. Stirpe,” said Giordano.
Onondaga County Republican Party Chairman Tom Dadey says primaries are like a family squabble, and he's very glad to see this family has come back together
"The Republican Party is going to be unified for the next six weeks to make sure on November 8th that we send Al Stirpe packing."
The 127th covers six towns on the eastern side of Onondaga County.