Democrat Sam Roberts will easily remain assemblyman of the 128th State Assembly District.
“To be truthful with you, I really knew that I was going to get reelected,” said Roberts. “I didn’t know what the margin would be but I knew I was going to win.”
As of 11:40 p.m. Tuesday night, with 100 percent of the vote counted, Roberts got 66.6 percent – or 31,146 votes – to only 33.3 percent – or 15,575 votes – for Republican challenger John Sharon.
In 2010, Roberts defeated Sharon to win the seat for what was then the 119th Assembly State District. In 2012, the district was redrawn and renamed as the 128th State Assembly District. It includes the towns of Salina, DeWitt, Onondaga, and parts of Syracuse.
At the Democrats’ vote-watching gathering at Pensabene’s Casa Grande, off of West Genesee Street, the party was rocking. At 10:47 p.m., Roberts arrived with a group that included Al Stirpe, who won the 127th State Assembly District. The two assemblymen were welcomed with warm cheers and applause as they made their way to the podium. Following Stirpe’s victory speech, Roberts took the stage with his three children and exclaimed, “Good evening Democrats!” The pep rally was well underway.
Roberts’ political career began on the Onondaga County Legislature, in which he served from 1990 to 2000. He was the representative for the County Legislature District 19.
For his re-election to the state assembly, Roberts had a strong advantage over Sharon. Of the district’s 79,933 voters, 44 percent are Democrats, 25 percent are Republicans and 24 percent are unaffiliated with a party.
At the Tecumseh Elementary School polling place on Tuesday, Sascha Milligan, 40, a financial advisor for Well Fargo Advisors in Syracuse, backed Roberts. “I’ve supported Sam for a number of years,” said Milligan. “I think he’s a good local representative and I think he’s good for Onondaga County.”
Seven miles down the road at the Jamesville-DeWitt High School polling place, one of Roberts’ high school classmates Grazi Zazzara, complimented what Roberts did during his first term. “He’s done a great job,” said Zazzara, the owner of Paradise Market on Erie Boulevard. “You call him and he answers your questions. He represents and does his job.”
As voters went to polling stations Tuesday, Roberts’ day was just another day. “My typical day,” said Roberts. “My day is the same way whether I’m in office, running for office, or whatever. I’m out there for the people from sun up until sundown.”
At 11:18 p.m., the Democrats’ gathering at Pensabene’s Casa Grande restaurant was still ecstatic after watching President Barack Obama win reelection. At the time, everything was going the Democrats’ way in Central New York. But instead of celebrating late into the night, Roberts had other plans.
“Tonight? I’m going to get some rest at some point,” laughed Roberts.
(Chet Davis is a senior with dual majors in broadcast journalism and political science.)
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