Political newcomer Jeremiah Thompson beat Republican incumbent Colleen Gunnip in the race to represent the Onondaga County Legislature’s 4th District.
Thompson’s victory — in which he amassed about 56% of the votes cast in the race — helped flip a traditionally red seat for the Democrats. The seat he won helped the Democrats flip the Onondaga County Legislature.
The 4th District encompasses the villages of Solvay and Liverpool as well as the towns of Geddes and Salina.
Thompson told Central Current at the Onondaga County Democratic Committee’s election party at Harvey’s Garden that he is looking forward to being present for his constituents and being able to continue to hear their concerns.
“The people told me they wanted a government who listens to them,” he said. “Those people are out there going hungry, they are worried about where their next meal is going to come from. They are worried the county will not be there for them. We will”
A Buffalo native, Thompson is a writing instructor at Syracuse University, focusing on ethics and civic discourse, and an actor living in the village of Liverpool. A SUNY Geneseo graduate, he serves on the Zoning Board in Liverpool.
Gunnip was seeking a third term in the Legislature. She was a councilor and supervisor in the Town of Salina. She also worked with the Department of Social Services and was on the Legislative staff. She chaired the Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee.
Thompson said his door knocking operation was a key tenet of his campaign. Thompson said he knocked on more than 1,500 doors in the district and was able to form genuine connections with residents.
The most pressing thing he heard from voters was the need for the county to address material issues.
“We have heard the message from a lot of people about the way that we are beholden to the interests of the people countywide,” he said. ”People in the city and suburbs are getting crushed by housing prices, utility costs, food scarcity, and the loss of SNAP benefits.”
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