Democrats seek end to GOP's 30-year dominance of Onondaga County government
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- It’s been nearly 30 years since a Democrat held one of Onondaga County’s five elected seats atop county government. Four Democratic candidates hope to change that this year by challenging the slate of Republican incumbents, led by a political novice at the top of the ticket.
For the Democrats, it’s a tall task. The GOP’s dominance in Onondaga County’s towns and villages combined with an extremely active leadership committee has fueled Republican control of county government for more than three decades, even when party leaders are at odds with one another.
Despite the GOP stronghold, registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans in Onondaga County by more than 20,000 voters as of last year. But a strong Republican infrastructure, plus large enrollment for other right-leaning parties like the Independence and Conservative Parties, tips county power to the GOP year after year.
Even the most experienced Democrat running for countywide office -- Marty Masterpole -- considers himself an underdog running against a neophyte, Comptroller Matt Beadnell, who was appointed to the office last year.
Read more: https://www.syracuse.com/politics/cny/2019/04/democrats-seek-end-to-gops-30-year-dominance-of-onondaga-county-govt.html