By Ryan Morden
Oswego, NY – Democrat Michael Hennessy, a county legislator in Oneida County, is challenging incumbent Republican Joe Griffo for state Senate.
The financial advisor officially launched his campaign Tuesday, March 30th.
The 47th district extends from Utica to the Canadian border. If elected, Hennessy said he wants to stay in touch with all parts of the district.
"I'm going to try to at least open up an office in the Lewis/St. Lawrence County region. It might be on a part time basis, but that office did exist at one time. I think that we need to try to stay closer to those residents and make it easier for them to be able to come to an office where we might be able to resolve problems," said Hennessy.
Hennessy is positioning himself as a fiscally responsible moderate Democrat, who will act independently of party leaders in the state Senate.
He said his private sector experience gives him an edge over Joe Griffo.
According to the Utica Observer Dispatch, at least one other Democrat is thinking about running.
Oneida County Democratic Chairman Bill Barry would not identify the other interested candidates.