Nicole Watts won the Onondaga County Legislature’s 9th District seat Tuesday night, earning 56% of the vote with nearly all election districts reporting.
Republican Bonnke Sekarore finished second with 38%, and independent Kenyata Calloway received about 6%.
The victory came after months of political upheaval. Incumbent Palmer Harvey withdrew from the race in April after a State Supreme Court judge ruled she collected fraudulent petitions. The ruling also barred Democrats from running a replacement candidate, leaving the party scrambling to respond.
The Democratic Committee and Working Families Party, which often coordinate, ended up backing separate candidates.
Watts, 43, is the CEO of Hopeprint, a Northside nonprofit that supports small businesses and connects residents with county resources. She said she plans to focus on staying connected to community concerns and improving access to local services.
With 91% of districts reporting, Watts’ lead appears decisive, marking a change in political leadership for a district that has faced months of controversy.
