New York state Assemblymember Al Stirpe says he is ending his campaign for a state Senate seat in Central New York and will instead seek reelection to the state's lower chamber, the Democratic lawmaker told Spectrum News 1 on Wednesday.
Stirpe launched his campaign for the 50th state Senate District in October and had been endorsed by independent Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.
Stirpe served in the state Assembly from 2006 to 2010 and then returned in 2013. He represents the 127th Assembly District, which includes the towns of Cicero, Clay, Manlius, and Cazenovia.
The 50th state Senate District seat is being vacated by incumbent Democrat John Mannion, who is running for Congress in 2024. There are multiple candidates seeking to replace Mannion. Former Oswego County Legislature Minority Leader Tom Drumm and current Onondaga County Legislature Minority Leader Chris Ryan are the Democrats running.
Republican Onondaga County Legislature Chairman James Rowley and Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro are the Republicans.
The 50th state Senate District includes Syracuse’s northern, western and eastern suburbs as well as the cities of Fulton and Oswego.
Colton Mennig had previously announced his campaign to replace Stirpe in the 127th Assembly District. He told Spectrum News 1 later Wednesday he has suspended his campaign.