Democratic officials in Onondaga and Madison counties are split over who they're backing in a June primary in the race for central New York's 22nd Congressional District.
The Onondaga County Democratic Committee last week picked State Sen. John Mannion (D-Camillus) as its designated candidate. Mannion won the designation with 73.2% of the vote. Sarah Klee Hood had 23.6% of the vote and Clemmie Harris saw 3.2%. Jacob Addington did not qualify for the vote.
Mannion said he was honored to have earned the designation.
“Central New York and the Mohawk Valley deserve a proven fighter in Washington who puts people over politics, and has a strong legislative record of delivering results, not empty rhetoric," Mannion said. "We need a member of Congress who will fight to protect the right to organize, support our public schools, push back against a national abortion ban, and bring jobs back to our region. The path to a House Majority runs straight through New York’s 22nd Congressional District, and I know that together, with all the hard work of committee members, my colleagues in the delegation, and the 21 unions that have endorsed our campaign, we will flip this seat.”
Madison County Democrats Monday chose Klee Hood as their candidate. Klee Hood picked up 61.54% of the vote. A Madison County native, Klee Hood welcomed the endorsement.
"As someone who was raised off a country road in Bridgeport, I am proud that my Congressional campaign has earned the designation of the Madison County Democratic Committee,” said Klee Hood. “It’s the community here in Madison County - my teachers, the local farmers who were my family’s neighbors, and my parents’ union brothers and sisters who I met at the picket lines as a kid - who have shaped my commitment to service. I look forward to bringing my Madison County roots to Congress, where I will fight for a stronger local economy for the people of Madison County and all of NY-22: our family farmers, working people, and seniors.”
Oneida County Democrats will choose their designated candidates on Feb. 15.
The other contested vote in Onondaga County saw Democrats picking Onondaga County Legislator Chris Ryan over former Oswego County Legislator Tom Drumm for the State Senate District 50 race. Ryan won 82.8% of votes with Drumm taking 17.2%.
The full list of designations from Onondaga County is as follows:
- John Mannion, NY 22 US House of Representatives
- Ian Phillips, NYS Assembly 126th District
- Al Stirpe, NYS Assembly 127th District
- Pam Hunter, NYS Assembly 128th District
- Bill Magnarelli, NYS Assembly 129th District
- Rachel May, NYS Senate 48th District
- Chris Ryan, NYS Senate 50th District
- Ross Andrews, Syracuse City Court Judge
- Staci Dennis Taylor, Syracuse City Court Judge
