As Democrats in Onondaga County put together their petitions to collect signatures for candidates, the party still has yet to find a designated challenger to Republican County Executive Ryan McMahon. He was appointed by the legislature last year following former County Executive Joanie Mahoney’s departure.
Democrats said they do not want to hand the seat over to McMahon.
Onondaga County Democratic Chair Pamela Hunter said she feels confident they will have a designated county executive candidate by the time petitions go out on Tuesday.
"We’re having conversations with a couple different people," Hunter said. "We want to be in a position to ensure there is not going to be a primary or contention for this."
Hunter said the shortened timeline has also made things difficult, after voting reforms passed in Albany, moved local primaries to June rather than September. Hunter’s name, as well as several other Democrats have been thrown around as potential candidates. Central New York Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) said it’s pretty much a “no” for him, but he and others agree someone should run.
“I think it would be just an awful commentary to have someone who’s never had to run for the office just get it handed to them,” Stirpe said.
Syracuse Councilor-at-Large Tim Rudd lost a race against McMahon in 2015 for McMahon's seat on the county legislature. Rudd said there is nothing easy about running against McMahon.
“He’s a calculating politician, so he knows where his power is and he knows how to use his power," Rudd said. "There will be people who won’t talk to whoever runs against the person, instantly. He’s got a lot of money locked up.”
So far, McMahon has raised more than $400,000 to spend on his campaign. But Democrats hold an enrollment advantage over Republicans in Onondaga County.
