While the CNY and National GOP want to only blame Trump for their losses (while they run to embrace Stefanik for Governor) they overlook the hard work of the candidates that put themselves in position to win. Many of these candidates in Onondaga County were first time candidates who were motivated by the state of the county and nation at the end of 2024, They went out there and worked hard, raised money, knocked doors, and most of all, believed.
There is a legitimate criticism that Onondaga County Democratic Committee in hindsight left many races blank. I share in that criticism, but they also had many areas with fuller slates than before, and won. And because of the even year law (legislation by NY Democrats and defended by local democrats) in town and County Legislature seats we get another chance next year.
Most towns need committee members, even if those committee members aren’t interested in running for office. The City of Syracuse can be hard to get involved in and towns like Manlius and Dewitt may be currently filled but always find a way to get people involved. However if you live outside those areas but specially in Camillus, Clay, Cicero, Lysander, Salina, Onondaga, Marcellus, Skaneateles, & Van Buren there are openings in committees that are active and will have seats up NEXT year.
Committee people chose the next candidates and help get them on the ballot. You may not run but there is someone in your network that might want to and being involved can help take advantage of this moment. Attached is a list of all Town Chairs on the OCDC website. Their work starts today, so does yours. Get involved, and if you are having an issue, reach out to me and I will help.
Let’s talk more about what Blue Onondaga means. As a result of Tuesday’s elections Democrats now control a significant portion of Onondaga County governmental units. here is where we stand:
Onondaga County Legislature Democrats now control 10-7. This is in addition to holding county wide offices County Clerk, County Sheriff, and County Comptroller.
City of Syracuse Mayoral race flipping to blue means Democrats will have total control of city government for the first time since 2018.
Democrats retained total control of the towns of Dewitt and Manlius sweeping their town boards and electing a new Supervisor in Dewitt (Max Ruckdeschel for DeWitt Supervisor) and retaining a supervisor in Manlius (John Deer, Manlius Town Supervisor.
The Salina Sweep flipped the Town of Salina from Republican control to total Democratic control with Raul Huerta For Salina as Supervisor.
The Geddes Democratic town slate went 3 for 3 and now retains a 4-2 control for the Town Board (and Supervisor Susan Lafex was cross endorsed by the Democratic line).
The town of Spafford has a new Democratic Supervisor and 2 Democratic Councilors to form a 3-2 governing majority.
The town of Pompey has a Democratic Supervisor and Democratic board member with 2 GOP and a now open position up for election next year that could give Democrats a governing majority.
The town of Lysander has a Democratic Supervisor, and a Democratic Board member who will form a governing majority with a third Conservative Board Member.
The towns of Skaneateles, Marcellus, and Cicero (pending mail ballots and possible hand count) have Democratic Supervisors though the board remains in GOP hands.
The towns of Camillus and Clay now have three Democratic members and after having none just two years ago. Both are one member away from taking majority control.
The town of Onondaga will have its first Democratic town councilor in 50 years, and a second is close enough that we are awaiting a hand count.
All in all, this was just an unprecedented change in the balance of power in Onondaga County. But this was made possible by a ton of candidates who challenged GOP held seats and flipped them. Here is a list:
I appeared on the Jim Reath Show to wrap up the election and talk about what is next at the Onondaga County Board of Elections as well as the Democrats historic night.
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On the other side of a bipartisan office sits Dustin Czarny, the Democratic elections commissioner in Onondaga County. He highlighted the turnout of about 40,000 Democrats and the support from unaffiliated voters. He emphasized the successful targeting of key districts, “4, 5, and 10 were all targets for us, and almost every year for the Democratic Party, because of the registration of those districts, and finally, they all got over the hump together.”
Democrats turned out to vote in higher numbers Tuesday than the last two elections, said Dustin Czarny, the Democratic county elections commissioner. More importantly, he said, Republicans stayed home.
He also said independent voters – a block that has been growing among young voters – likely leaned 3-1 for Democrats.
Democrats even won highway superintendent seats in traditional Republican strongholds like Lysander and Camillus, he said.
“This is beyond anybody’s expectation or even dreams,” he said.
“If a voter comes in, they check in on the poll pad. The poll pad prints out a ballot and the voter then fills out the ballot, slides it into the scanner,” described Czarny. “The scanner tabulates it, but no one knows the results till they come here on election night.”
Dustin Czarny, the county’s Democratic elections commissioner said this is a normal turnout for local elections. Many people typically show between 7-9 p.m., he said.
“Voting yes on that ballot will do two things: It will move the Onondaga County Legislature from a two-year term to a four-year term starting in 2026and then it will also put a 12-year term limit,” explained Czarny.
Polls are open 6am to 9pm Tuesday November 4, 2025 for the 2025 General Election. I talk about how to find out where to vote, what to do if you still have a vote by mail ballot (mail it in!), court orders, and when results will come out. Call 315 435 VOTE if you have any questions or visit onvote.net for more information.
The total is a 41% increase over the previous record for a local election year set in 2023, said Dustin Czarny, the county’s Democratic election’s commissioner.
Sunday’s total of 2,908 ballots cast in Onondaga County also set the record for the highest single-day turnout since early voting began in the county in 2019, Czarny said.
Dustin M. Czarny 