State Senator John Mannion has secured the Democratic nomination for a highly contested Syracuse-area congressional seat, setting up a November showdown with Republican incumbent Brandon Williams. Mannion, who won with 62% of the vote against DeWitt town Councilor Sarah Klee Hood, will challenge Williams in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive House races.
Williams, who narrowly won his seat in 2022 with 50.5% of the vote, faces a tougher re-election bid due to recent redistricting that favors Democrats.
Mannion, a former AP biology teacher, is no stranger to tight races, having flipped a long-held Republican state Senate seat in 2020 and narrowly won re-election in 2022. His legislative experience and background in education are central to his campaign narrative.
“I’m battle-tested. I’ve won tough elections,” Mannion stated. He plans to leverage his record in Albany, where he passed 27 bills in 2023, to argue that he can deliver more effectively than Williams. Mannion emphasized the importance of practical results, citing his achievements both in the Legislature and in education.
Mannion enjoys strong backing from labor groups, including the influential teachers’ union, and significant support from House Majority PAC, which has already secured airtime for fall advertising in the Syracuse market.
The November election will be a critical battleground as both parties vie for control of the House, with Mannion’s race against Williams drawing national attention.
COMMENTS