© 2024 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

GOP continues search for Congressional candidate after Antonacci bows out

Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci will not be running for Congress next year. In a written statement released Wednesday, Antonacci said he can "serve the people of Onondaga County far better as their comptroller" than as a congressman. Antonacci also called the 24th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Syracuse, Auburn and Oswego, a winnable seat for the Republican Party.

The 24th Congressional District is currently represented by Democrat Dan Maffei, who beat Republican Ann Marie Buerkle last year. Buerkle has said she has no plans to run for the seat again in 2014. The only other person who has expressed public interest in running is former Syracuse Common Councilor Rick Guy.

Last month, Onondaga County Republican Party Chairman Tom Dadey said the GOP still has its eyes on the toss-up district, because voter registration numbers are close and because the party has found success in past elections. He also said the GOP would like to find a candidate early in order to raise campaign funds.