The neutral, court-ordered special master has released a newly drawn congressional district map for the state, which has significant implications for the 22nd district that includes Onondaga County. The district now shifts east to include all of Madison and Oneida counties. That’s compared to the fragmented district drawn by Democratic lawmakers that included Onondaga and all or parts of seven other counties to the south and west that included the cities of Geneva, Ithaca, and Cortland.
Michele Sardo is Onondaga County’s GOP elections commissioner.
"I think they were fairly drawn this time. I don't believe the last time they were fairly drawn. The districts will be more competitive across the state."
She says Republicans Mike Sigler and Brandon Williams will likely stay in the race for the August primary.
"They can fill out paperwork, write a letter to the state saying they want to use their existing petitions so they won't have to go back out and get signatures. But anybody new coming in will have to get signatures for their petitions."
In another potential twist, Sardo says there could be at least one more candidate. The new 22nd now includes parts of incumbent Claudia Tenney’s former district in the Utica area.
"I'm sure Congresswoman Tenney will run. I don't know who else may come out. So this could be a highly contested primary for the republicans."
Tenney hasn’t yet disclosed her future plans. As many as seven Democrats were seeking the Democratic primary for the originally drawn 22nd district. Party designee Francis Conole confirmed Monday that he’s staying on the ballot. Congressional candidates don’t need to reside in their district, just in the state. The special master also released his redrawn state senate map. The primary for the congressional and state senate races is set for August 23rd.
