While Republicans maintained control of Onondaga County government, Democrats will stay in control of Syracuse city government.
Democrats Michael Greene and Rita Paniagua won the two at-large seats on the council. Pat Hogan, another Democrat won the race for the 2nd District seat, winning more than 80% of the vote. Hogan is no stranger to the Common Council, having served from 2006-2013. Joe Carni will remain the lone Republican on the council, winning re-election in the 1st District over Jay Subedi. In the 3rd District, Chol Majok becomes the first refugee to serve on the council, winning his race over another refugee candidate, Emad Rahim, with more than 80% of the vote.
Also in the city of Syracuse a ballot proposition to create an independent commission to redraw council district lines passed overwhelmingly, with more than 75% of the vote. After the 2020 Census, a panel of city residents, not politicians, will work to redraw council district lines.
Oneida County
In Oneida County, Anthony Picente, Jr. won re-election as county executive, defeating Democrat Michael Hennessy by more than 30 percentage points. In Utica, Democrat Robert Palmieri won a third term in office, defeating Republican Matthew Arcuri and independent Joe Marino, who Palmieri defeated in a primary earlier this year.
Cayuga County
In Cayuga County, Jon Budelman won another term as District Attorney over Democrat Thomas Turturo. And Auburn Mayor Michael Quill won another term, defeating Republican Tim Lattimore.
Oswego County
Deanna Michaels will be the new mayor of Fulton. She was elected over three other candidates, and will replace current Mayor Ron Woodward when he retires at the end of this year. Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow sailed to a second term, winning with no opposition. And a ballot proposition to extend the term of county legislators from two to four years was defeated.
Jefferson County
The race for mayor of Watertown was a rematch of a primary earlier this year. Jeff Smith, Allison Crossman and Cody Horbacz all appeared on the ballot Tuesday, after Crossman and Horbacz tied for second in June's primary. In the end, Smith won with 39% of the vote, and will be the city's next mayor. Sarah Compo won another term on the city council and will be joined by Jesse Roshia. And a ballot proposition to change the city charter was defeated.
State Supreme Court
A central New York state Senator who's held the seat for just a year may be giving it up soon. Republican Bob Antonacci, elected to the 50th District seat last year, appears to have enough votes to be elected to one of three seats open in the 5th Judicial District. Bernadette Romano Clark received the most votes and will serve a second 14-year term. Antonacci and Joseph Lamendola finished a close second and third with Democrat Julie Cerio about 3,000 votes behind.
