SYRACUSE, N.Y. (N.C.C. News) —Residents of New York’s District 50 will have no incumbent to vote for this November.
New York State Senator John Mannion is leaving his position to run for Congress. Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro (R) and Onondaga County Legislator Chris Ryan (D) are campaigning for his open seat.
Paro’s campaign manager, Liam O’Connor, said Paro is ready to take his experiences leading Salina and fight for Central New York.
“As far as Nick is concerned, he is dead set on putting Central New York’s needs first, over downstate, and that’s what’s so important about electing somebody that’s very independently focused on our region and not beholden to Albany, special interest groups or downstate New York City special interest groups,” O’Connor said.
District 50 is the only seat in New York that has a Republican majority, but is held by a Democrat, according to O’Connor. As the Democrat’s choice for this seat, Ryan believes it is important for the winner to know how to work across the aisle and build on his past.
“I think (being) in the minority, my whole entire career, not just out of town…but also in the county legislature you know, obviously you learn a thing or two about having to make a deal or give a little to get a little, I’ve always been that way,” Ryan said.
Citizens of District 50 will make their decision on November 5.