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Democrats take a supermajority in the Onondaga County Legislature after major Republican losses

All 17 legislators gather for session Nov. 6, 2025. There will be six new faces in January.
Scott Willis
/
WAER News
The Onondaga County Legislature in early 2025, when they gained six seats. The party now has a "supermajority" in the county.

Democrats flipped three seats in the Onondaga County Legislature, claiming a supermajority.

Democrats flipped the majority of seats in the Onondaga County Legislature Tuesday, including the seat of the Republican legislative minority leader.

Nicole Watts, the Democratic legislative chairwoman, declared that the party has a supermajority, according to Syracuse.com.

Brian May, the incumbent Republican legislative minority leader, was unseated in the first County Legislative district by Democratic challenger Justin Neal, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Additionally, Democrat Jessica Hacket flipped Republican Richard McCarron Jr.’s seat, defeating challenger Geneanne Keegan-Smith in District 11. Matt Jones beat incumbent Kevin Meaker in District 2, according to Syracuse.com.

District 13 and District 14 are still too close to call.

Jacob Berr is an undergraduate studying Political Science at Maxwell and Journalism at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is expected to graduate in May 2029. As a content producer working at WAER, Jacob helps produce digital and radio stories for the station.
Dana Kim is a sophomore studying journalism and public health at Syracuse University, expected to graduate in May 2029. As a content producer at WAER, Dana helps produce digital and radio stories.