Syracuse, N.Y. – Chris Ryan coasted to victory Thursday night as the Onondaga County Democratic Committee chose the labor union leader as its candidate for a state Senate seat in Central New York.
Ryan, 51, of Geddes, won the party’s designation with about 83% of the weighted vote over Tom Drumm, of Oswego, said Max Ruckdeschel, the party’s chair.
Ryan is the Democratic minority leader of the Onondaga County Legislature and president of Local 1123 of the Communications Workers of America.
He is campaigning for the 50th Senate District seat that will be vacated at the end of the year by state Sen. John Mannion, D-Geddes.
Mannion won a vote Thursday to become the party’s pick to challenge Rep. Brandon Williams, R-Sennett, in the 22nd Congressional District.
Drumm, 30, of Oswego, said he will continue his campaign for the open Senate seat despite the committee’s decision Thursday.
He told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that he will take his message to voters and seek to challenge Ryan in the June 25 primary election.
Candidates will need to gather at least 1,000 valid petition signatures to qualify for the primary ballot.
The 50th Senate District spans Onondaga and Oswego counties. The district includes some of Onondaga County’s largest towns – Clay, Cicero, Camillus, Manlius, DeWitt, Geddes and Salina – and the cities of Fulton and Oswego in Oswego County.
Oswego County will designate its candidates for the 2024 election at a meeting Feb. 15 in Phoenix.
The Onondaga County Republican Committee will meet Friday night to designate its candidates. Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro is running unopposed for the GOP designation for the 50th Senate District.
Jim Rowley, the former chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, ended his campaign for the Senate seat in December, only days after Paro announced he would challenge him for the GOP nomination.
More on race for 50th Senate District
- Al Stirpe drops bid for state Senate, will run again for Assembly
- Republican drops bid for John Mannion’s New York Senate seat
- A 2nd Republican enters race for John Mannion’s New York Senate seat
- Syracuse mayor, an independent, endorses Democrat for NY Senate seat
- Top Democrat in Onondaga County Legislature to join crowded field seeking NY senate seat
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