Local Politics Update for Onondaga County: Key Votes, Open Seats, and Election Speculation
November 28th 2025
Government News
This Tuesday, December 2nd, the Legislature will meet for the first of our 2 December sessions. We actually have a lot of items on the agenda, and I’m looking forward to session. Syracuse dot com reported that the Republican caucus is looking to fill twelve seats across various boards before they leave control. These include appointments to influential authorities and advisory positions that traditionally shape policy long after a term ends.
I feel that long term appointments made during a political transition are wrong. These seats have real power. They make decisions that shape water systems, parks, economic development, housing projects, and our overall county direction. The voters countywide voted for a different direction, and to immediately attempt to undermine the will of the people doesn’t align with my values. A change in majority should not be followed by rushed lifetime style appointments with minimal public input.
I will share more with you after Tuesday’s session, but I encourage everyone to watch the vote or follow the recap. These moments matter for the next several years.
Political News
On the political side, a lot has happened in a short period of time. County Legislator Garland announced that he will not seek re election. He is the longest serving Democrat in the chamber, and his decision somewhat surprised many people, including me. The reaction from the community has been mixed. Some people were shocked. Some were grateful. Some were frustrated. And a lot of folks shared stories about how long he has served and the impact he has had.
For me, it was a reminder of how your actions define you. I relate it to playing Cornerback in Football, in that you really will get defined by a single moment. Legislator Garland voted with the Democratic caucus against the budget this year, he has also voted with me fairly consistently during my time as a legislator; however, this is not the story you’ll get from reading the Facebook posts and their comments. We serve in public life, but the people who sit in these seats still read the comments. We still feel the temperature when big changes happen. And when someone who has been around for years steps away, the public reaction tells you exactly how complicated and personal politics can be.
The seat did not stay quiet for long. A candidate has already announced for the soon to be vacant district. That announcement happened the same day the news broke, and momentum started almost immediately. I’ve not worked with Commissioner Bullock in the past; however, she seems to have quite the following locally and will be a strong representative for the district should they choose her.
We’ve also seen another candidate announce a run for County Office. In District 2 in Clay, Matt Jones has stepped forward to challenge the incumbent there as well.
Baseless Speculation
Now for the part everyone always asks me about. What rumors are floating around. These are not confirmed. They are not announcements. They are conversations and whispers that tend to appear whenever we are heading into a major political cycle.
Legislator Knapp has filed paperwork to explore a run for State Assembly. This was somewhat predictable with the new four year terms. It changes the political math for a lot of people. A four year commitment forces everyone to take a hard look at their future. Unrelated but related, Legislator Knapp appear on the Campbell Conversations with me earlier this month, it’s worth a listen if you haven’t already.
There are rumors of the local establishment running someone to primary me for my seat, and the Republican City chair has already vowed to find someone to run against me. Even with these looming threats, I think you need be 100% committed to this office if you are going to commit to it for 4 more years.
We’ve seen the consequence of a legislator leaving during their term when Senator Ryan vacated his seat in the 8th district. In that situation the County Executive got to choose his replacement, only for the voters to reject that candidate on election day. But in the year between the appointment and the election, that appointed legislator gave republicans the ability to legislate with an unearned supermajority.
There is also talk that Legislator McCarron from District 11 is considering a challenge to State Senator Rachel May. I have already endorsed Senator May for reelection, so that one caught my ear. Again, this is only chatter. Nothing has been formally announced.
And finally, there are circulating rumors that Legislator Julie Abbott may run for the open 126th Assembly District seat. This is another example of the musical chairs that tend to happen when one person retires or moves. With the incumbent running for Congress against Congressman Mannion, it makes sense that one of the longest serving elected officials in the area would be linked to the seat. One shift creates another shift which creates another.
I think this is a natural reaction for each current legislator to be evaluating all of their options at this moment. I want to reiterate. These last items are pure speculation. The only confirmed announcements are the candidates who have already posted their launches publicly.
Closing Thoughts
A lot is happening at once. Government decisions, political departures, new campaigns, and conversations about what comes next. I will continue to keep you as updated as I can as we move through the December 2 vote and into the early stages of the 2026 cycle. Our county is at a moment of transition and I will at least try to keep folks informed.
If you want updates in real time, make sure you follow me on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/mobreezy213.bsky.social.
And as always, thank you for staying engaged in how your government works.