The election is nearly a year away, but the competition among Republicans interested in running for state Senate in the 49th District is intensifying.
Syracusan Jessica Crawford formally announced Tuesday she’s a candidate for the GOP nomination to run next fall for the seat held by Democrat David J. Valesky of Oneida. She started a campaign swing through the district yesterday and is wrapping it up today. Stops were scheduled this morning at Mary’s Diner, 7475 Vienna Road, Blossvale, and in Madison County.
"Young people continue to migrate out of Upstate New York. Families like my own are struggling. Profits for farmers are shrinking. Manufacturers are choosing to expand out of state or leave altogether," said Crawford, 31. "It does not have to be this way."
Her entry into the race follows last month’s decision by fellow Republican Andrew Russo, 33, of Fayetteville to make a run for Valesky’s seat. Neither has held public office previously. When Valesky ran for Senate in 2004 it was his first bid for elective office. He’s now in his third term.
"For Upstate New York to retain its most valuable asset, its people, we need jobs and an economy where individuals, families and small businesses can reach their full potential," said Crawford, who works for Syracuse Research Corp. "I want to help create an Upstate New York that people want to move to rather than leave."
She is founding chairwoman of the 40 Below young professionals group.
"Upstate taxpayers have been lied to and stepped on by the Democrats who control Albany, and they are eager to embrace the kind of real and meaningful change embodied by my outsider candidacy," said Russo in commenting on Crawford’s announcement. "I fully expect to be the Republican candidate for state Senate next November."
Both Crawford and Russo have talked with Oneida County Republican Chairman George E. Joseph about their interest in being the GOP candidate next fall.
The 49th District is made up of parts of Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga counties and all of Madison. In Oneida, the district includes Rome’s second and fourth wards and part of the third ward, and four towns, Bridgewater, Sangerfield, Augusta and Vienna.
The pay for state senators is $79,500.
