The candidates seeking to represent Onondaga County’s 6th legislative district say they’re deeply familiar with residents needs and have what it takes to address them. Three-term Republican incumbent Julie Abbott faces a challenge from Democrat Gregg Eriksen.
The mostly rural district covers a wide swath of southwestern Onondaga County, including the towns of Spafford, Skaneateles, Marcellus, and parts of Camillus.
Republican Julie Abbott said she knows her district inside and out.
“I know affordability is important. I know investing in our villages is critical," she said. "I've brought millions of dollars in Main Street grants to our business village centers. It's booming and that’s phenomenal.”
She said that boosts sales tax revenue and keeps property taxes down.
Abbott said she studies the impact of every vote she takes.
“I'm putting my name on stuff that, especially as Chair of Environmental Protection, that could be impactful 20 years from now," she said. "I represent the unfiltered drinking water source for the entire city of Syracuse, Skaneateles Lake. I take that very seriously.”
Democratic challenger Gregg Eriksen said he also takes constituent service seriously. He’s an attorney but said he gained valuable experience as a high school and college intern in the local offices of state legislators and congressmembers.
“I was picking up the phone when people were having problems, when regular folks needed to be connected to services," Eriksen said. "So I got a front row seat to see exactly what kind of a difference having committed, dedicated folks in office can make in the day-to-day lives of regular people.”
He said those residents are directly impacted by the GOP majority’s vote in 2023 to spend $100 million on an aquarium instead of critical services.
“We've got measles outbreaks right now across the country like we haven't seen in decades," Eriksen said. "What can we do at the local level if we invested in the health department, raise awareness about vaccinations, avoiding preventable disease, avoiding tick-borne illnesses.”
Eriksen said the county can also do more to address housing affordability. He said even those with good-paying careers are being priced out of the district.
Early voting begins Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4.
