SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) – Over the weekend, the Onondaga County Democratic Committee chose Syracuse University professor Dana Balter as their congressional candidate in the 24th District.
Balter won overwhelmingly with 73 percent of the vote. She also carried the designation for Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties earlier this month. The district seat is currently held by Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus), who has an advantage of about $1 million over Balter in fundraising. Balter said she will not accept money from corporate PACs and she said she is interested in small dollar donations.
“This campaign is about building support across the district,” Balter said. “It is building a movement. It is an opportunity for the people that live in our communities to stand up and say here is what we need, here is what we want, and demand the best from their leadership.”
Anne Messenger came in second in the Onondaga County designating convention with 26 percent of the vote. She said she is undecided about challenging Balter in a primary. Balter said she is not worried about a primary challenge.
“From the very beginning of this, our campaign has been about the congressional seat and about putting somebody in that seat who is going to stand up for the interests of central New Yorkers, rather than the interests of corporate donors, rather than the interests of party leadership,” Balter said.
Balter said she is going to continue to travel the district to build support.
Scott Comegys, a Democrat from Wayne County who was running for the nomination, dropped out of the race this weekend. He says he’ll support Balter in her run against Katko.