Elections

When businesswoman Allison Crossman and City Councilor Cody Horbacz tied for second place in the Watertown mayoral primary in June, officials looked to the Jefferson County Board of Elections for what to do after discovering that the city's election law doesn't address what to do in the event of a tie. The issue was that the board's Republican and Democratic commissioners were split on whether two or three candidates could advance to the general election, so they asked for someone to file a lawsuit so that a judge could resolve the matter.

The Watertown City Council passed a resolution last night recommending that the Jefferson County Board of Elections certify three names on the ballot for the November mayoral election. The goal was to help end an impasse created when two candidates, Councilor Cody Horbacz and businesswoman Allison Crossman, tied for second place.

The primaries in New York state took place more than two weeks ago, but the results of the Watertown mayoral primary remain undecided.

Under city law, the candidates with the first and second-most votes are supposed to advance to the general election. Jeff Smith came in first. The problem is that City Councilor Cody Horbacz and businesswoman Allison Crossman have tied for second place.

With the deadline now passed for candidates from other parties or independents to file, Mayor Billy Barlow is the only candidate in this year's Oswego mayoral race - effectively guaranteeing a second term.

After four years as mayor and eight on the city council, Joe Butler says it's time for a break so he can focus on his family and career. Butler says he's proud of his role in maintaining the city's fiscal strength during his term while also investing in city infrastructure like roads and sidewalks - and the $10 million  Watertown won from the state in 2017 to improve its downtown.

"The revitalization of the downtown area - I think - that’s come a long way and that will continue to improve," Butler said. "That’s been a big part of why I wanted to run for mayor."

Ron Woodward has occupied the Fulton mayor's office since 2008, and before that for two years in the 1980s. The 70-year-old had planned to run for a fourth straight term as mayor, his fifth overall. He had already been endorsed by the Fulton GOP, but this week Woodward changed his mind, and announced that he would not run for re-election.

When Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow took office, city residents had seen four consecutive tax increases and then a major spike in their sewer and water rates to help pay for a federally mandated sewer and water separation project. And things were about to get worse as a contract that provided Oswego with $1 million in revenue each year was coming to an end.

The campaigns, ads, and elections are finally over. This week on the Campbell Conversations, we take a look back at the midterm elections. We'll analyze races from around central New York and around the nation. Host Grant Reeher is joined by Syracuse University political science professor Chris Faricy, and Oswego County Clerk Michael Backus. 

More absentee ballots were sent in all eight counties covering the 22nd Congressional District in this past midterm election compared to four years ago. And all those ballots, totaling more than 12,000, as well as affidavit ballots, will need to be counted, as the race between Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New Hartford) and Democrat Anthony Brindisi, is too close to call. Brindisi leads by just under 1,300 votes. Election commissioners have dealt with some problems and are eager to get the results.

As a highly contested midterm election season comes to a close on Election Day, there’s one race in Onondaga County that may be flying under the radar.

The choice for Onondaga County Sheriff is between a political novice and an incumbent looking for a second term. Sheriff Gene Conway, a Republican, has held the job since 2015. He’s been in local law enforcement in several capacities, as a village police officer, a sheriff’s deputy, local police chief and finally sheriff. He said people should judge him by what he has done.

Democrats are leading in the polls in New York’s statewide races for governor, attorney general and comptroller. The most heated contests this Election Day are in the state Senate, where Democrats are trying to win enough seats to take control of the chamber away from Republicans.

Tuesday's elections could tip control of the New York state Senate to Democrats, which in turn could have a profound inpact on the state's policies, from healthcare to taxes to government ethics and campaign finance. This week,  Grant Reeher moderates a debate between the two candidates running for New York's 50th Senate District, Republican Bob Antonacci and Democrat John Mannion. Both are running to replace longtime Sen. John DeFrancisco, who is retiring from office this year. 

A group that opposes big money in politics has issued a report showing that a handful of billionaires are contributing heavily to Republican congressional campaigns in New York.

One of the major party candidates in the New York race for governor has issued a "civility challenge," asking his opponents to refrain from all negative ads and attacks from now until Election Day.

The race for New York's 24th Congressional District, currently held by incumbent Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus), could prove critical in Democrats attempts to take control of the House of Representatives. This week, host Grant Reeher talks with Katko's Democratic challenger, Dana Balter. 

The race for New York's 24th Congressional District, currently held by incumbent Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus), could prove critical in Democrats attempts to take control of the House of Representatives. This week, host Grant Reeher talks with Katko's Democratic challenger, Dana Balter. 

The two candidates running for central new York's 24th District seat held their first debate this week, where they disagreed on nearly every issue. Democrat Dana Balter and incumbent Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) will hold three more televised debates before Election Day.