There were a few surprises in this year’s local elections, particularly in Cicero’s town and county races. Below find the unofficial results of the local elections, as provided by the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Please bear in mind that these results are unofficial. They do not include absentee ballots. In the event of a close vote, recounts are likely. More official results will be available in the Nov. 11 edition of the Star-Review.
County Legislature — Second District
With 95 percent of districts reporting, Republican John Dougherty defeated Democrat Donna Marsh-O’Connor by a vote of 1,961 to 1,506. Also on the ballot was David Stewart, who was listed as the Conservative Party candidate despite losing the Republican primary to Dougherty. Despite encouraging his supporters to vote for Dougherty, Stewart received 278 votes.
The Second District has not elected a Democratic county legislator since 1981 when Caryl Frawley defeated Bernie Kraft. Kraft won the seat in the next 13 elections before stepping down this year; he passed away in July.
County Legislature — Third District
In a tight race, Republican incumbent Bill Meyer narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Edward Szczesniak. Szczesniak led in the polls for much of the night, but Meyer pulled ahead with 78 percent of districts reporting. Once the final votes were tallied, Meyer had 2,839 votes to Szczesniak’s 2,722, winning by just 117 votes.
County Legislature — Fourth District
After a nasty campaign where both sides accused the other of negative tactics, Republican challenger Judy Tassone defeated Democrat Dave Stott, receiving 2,214 votes to Stott’s 2,076.
County Legislature — Fifth District
Incumbent Kathleen Rapp, the Republican candidate, defeated challenger T. Ann Howe, a Democrat, for the seat. Howe did not campaign for the position but still garnered 1,512 votes to Rapp’s 2,246.
County Legislature — 14th District
With 95.7 percent of districts reporting, Republican incumbent Casey Jordan beat Democratic challenger Charles Henry by a vote of 1,926 to 1,249.
Town of Cicero
With the exception of the town clerk, incumbent Republicans were swept out of office in the town of Cicero, which has endured controversy over assessment issues and legal fees. Winners were Democrat Judy Boyke, who beat Chet Dudzinski by a vote of 3,782 to 2,490; town councilors Jessica Zambrano (3,405 votes) and Lynn Jennings (3,543) over Melissa DelGuercio (2,365) and Jason Mott (2,321); and incumbent town clerk Tracy Cosilmon (3,226) over Democrat Sheri Mitchell (2,952). Highway Superintendent Chris Woznica ran unopposed, as did tax receiver Sharon Edick.
Town of Clay
The Clay election brought no surprises; Republicans have dominated town politics for the better part of the last two and a half decades. With 96.1 percent of districts reporting, incumbent Supervisor Damian Ulatowski defeated Democratic challenger Dan McIntyre, receiving 4,770 votes to McIntyre’s 2,969. Tax receiver JoDee Kenny defeated challenger Jim Kozlowski by a vote of 5,777 to 2,075.
Running unopposed were town board candidates Naomi Bray, Bruce Johnson and William Weaver; town clerk Jill Hageman-Clark; and town justice Christopher Gaiser.
Town of Salina
Republican incumbents held onto their seats in the town of Salina. Incumbent Supervisor Mark Nicotra beat Democrat Mike Giarrusso 3,809 to 2,328; First Ward Councilor Colleen Gunnip received 951 votes to Democratic challenger Christine Slocum’s 664; Third Ward Councilor Chris Benz received 704 to Democratic challenger Robert Judd’s 488; and Michael DelVecchio received 943 to Democratic challenger Dominick DiPaulo’s 561. The only exception was in the Second Ward, where Democratic challenger V. James Magnarelli defeated Republican incumbent Tom Saya by a slim margin of 854 to 824.
Running unopposed were tax receiver Alicia MacCollum and town justice Andrew Piraino.
For comments from the winners and losers, check out the Nov. 11 edition of the Liverpool-North Syracuse Star-Review.
