Democrats on the Onondaga County Legislature aren’t wasting any time nominating the leaders who will control the chamber holding for the next four years. They now hold 14 of the chamber's 17 seats.
The caucus re-nominated Nicole Watts as chairwoman after steering lawmakers through the past year. The full legislature votes to confirm her in January. Watts championed a focus on housing, transportation, community stability, transparency, and civic engagement in a year where she and many other new lawmakers were getting their footing.
Democrats also named Chad Ryan as majority leader. He replaces Nodesia Hernandez who was the first Afro-Latina to serve in the role.
"Majority Leader Hernandez made history in this Legislature." Watts said. "We recognize what her leadership means to our caucus and to the community. Hernandez will remain central to our work in 2027 and her expertise and focus on families will continue to help deliver for working families in the coming year."
“I am proud of the work I have led in the legislature in just this past year, and the year leading up to a majority," Hernandez said. "We have elevated community voices, supported investments in housing, advanced privacy protections for shoppers, and championed government accountability."
Leader Ryan is charged with wrangling a supermajority of 14 fellow Democrats to reach consensus on the party’s priorities.
"I appreciate the path Majority Leader Hernandez built and we will work together to transition in preparation for next year," he said. "What we do next, we all do together: expanding housing access, making sure semiconductor investments benefit county residents, continuing to bring transparency to how county dollars are spent, and tackling challenges for children and families."
Ryan previously served on the Syracuse Common Council. His father Ed Ryan served 32 years on the legislature.
