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Syracuse.com will host a primary debate between John Mannion and Sarah Klee Hood, who are both competing to be the Democratic candidate for New York’s 22nd Congressional District, ahead of the state’s Democratic primary, the publication announced Friday.

Mannion, a state senator, will be debating against Klee Hood, a DeWitt town councilor, on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The prospective candidates are running to be the Democratic nominee for the NY-22 congressional seat — who represents Onondaga and Madison counties, as well as sections of Cayuga, Cortland and Oneida counties. Some cities throughout the district include Syracuse, Utica, Cortland and Auburn.

The winner of the primary will run against Rep. Brandon Williams, a Republican who currently represents the district, during the Nov. 5 United States general election.

Klee Hood, a veteran and Dewitt Town councilor, previously ran to be the Democratic candidate for the NY-22 seat in 2022 but lost to former Naval officer Francis Conole. Some of her campaign priorities, as listed on her website, are to support local labor unions and improve infrastructure throughout central New York.

Mannion is a current New York state senator for its 50th district, representing parts of Onondaga and Oswego counties. He “believes strongly” in transparency between constituents and those representing them, according to his website. He is also a “strong proponent” of the use of clean energy and co-sponsored the “Green CHIPS” bill, which seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the arrival of Micron Technology’s semiconductor plant in Clay, New York.

The 22nd district’s congressional lines were redrawn and approved by both parties in February. The new district lines were then projected to add 30,000 registered Democrats to the district, giving the party a nearly “20,000 voter edge,” according to preliminary calculations by Onondaga County Board of Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny.

During the hour-long debate, which will be presented “in association” with Newhouse, a moderator will ask the two candidates questions surrounding ongoing policy issues. The two Democrats will not be aware of the questions ahead of time, according to syracuse.com.

The debate, moderated by Chris Baker — a syracuse.com editor — will not welcome members of the public. However, it will be livestreamed on syracuse.com’s website and Facebook page. A recording of the debate will also be posted on syracuse.com, according to the publication’s Friday announcement.

After the debate, central New Yorkers can begin voting in the Democratic primaries as soon as June 15, when the early voting period begins. The primary election is set for June 25.

Published on May 19, 2024 at 7:41 pm

Contact Zaara: zamalik@syr.edu