The choices are simpler now in the race for Onondaga County executive. Both of the losers in the Republican and Democratic primaries have decided to endorse their parties’ winners.
For the Republicans, Dale Sweetland decided on October 10 to endorse Joanie Mahoney. Mahoney beat Sweetland in the Republican primary on September 18 by 21 one votes. Sweetland remains on the ballot as the Conservative and Independence candidate. By election law, his name would come off the ballot only if he moves out of the county or dies. His endorsement of Mahoney unites the party.
For the Democrats, Ed Ryan wasn’t too far behind. Ryan finally threw in the towel on October 16. He decided to endorse his party’s nominee, Bill Magnarelli, after losing in the Democratic primary on Sept. 18.
Diane Dwire, the county’s Democratic Committee chairwoman, describes the Democratic Party’s reaction like this:
“I think Ed said it clearly — as Democrats we can disagree and go through the democratic process that was the primary. Ed was very positive when he endorsed Bill Magnarelli. And that’s what he said: ‘I’m a Democrat first.’ It winds up being a much more unified race. And you can really see the people are excited, that we can now focus on winning in November.” [Diane Dwire]
These parties have reason to celebrate the endorsements, says political scientist Grant Reeher of Syracuse University. Reeher explains it this way:
“It means an enormous amount to each of the two people who emerged from the primaries because one of the dangers for the candidate in the general election who faces a primary is the primary will be bruising and will divide base of the supporters for that particular party’s candidate. And so anytime you have a primary there’s always a concern that you’re going to be eroding support at the general election stage.” [Grant Reeher]
The election will be on Nov. 6.
For Democracywise, I’m Joyce Ogirri.
(Joyce Ogirri is a graduate broadcast journalism student.)
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