Democrat Chad Ryan beat incumbent Republican Legislator Shawn Fiato in the race to represent the Onondaga County Legislature’s 8th District.
Ryan, a former councilor in Syracuse, collected nearly 75% of the votes in the race against Fiato.
Fiato was appointed to the legislature in January by County Executive Ryan McMahon after Democratic Minority Leader Chris Ryan was elected to represent the New York State Senate’s 50th district. Chad Ryan is Chris Ryan’s cousin.
Ryan’s win helped flip the Onondaga County Legislature in favor of Democrats for the first time in decades. Democrats picked up five seats in the legislature during this year’s election cycle.
Fiato said she had been unsure about running to be elected to again represent the seat,, but that she “wanted to see if she could actually make a difference.”
Fiato has served on the Planning and Economic Development and Public Safety committees.
Ryan is a Corcoran High School and SUNY Canton graduate. He is a co-owner and operator of the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home.
Ryan beat Tammy Honeywell in the June primary and was backed by the Onondaga County Democratic Committee as their designated candidate in February.
As a legislator, Ryan said that he wants to prioritize “trying to administer and invest in our people” by staffing county departments like the Department of Child and Family Services.
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