Top House Democrat visits CNY to help John Mannion in final days of key congressional race
SYRACUSE — If candidates like John Mannion are successful in battleground congressional districts, Hakeem Jeffries will be the next speaker of the House.
Jeffries, the top House Democrat, was in Syracuse Saturday to make the closing argument for electing Mannion, D-Geddes, in the 22nd Congressional District.
The 22nd district is a top target for House Democrats. Political forecasters consider Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, who is seeking his second term, as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the country.
Jeffries joined Mannion as he and his family voted early at the Southwest Community Center in Syracuse. The House Democratic leader then energized a large crowd of supporters at a rally held at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church.
As Jeffries made his case for electing Mannion in the 22nd district, he noted that House Democrats are four seats short of taking back control of the chamber.
"This is clearly one of those seats that will deliver a majority," he said.
Speaking at the rally, Jeffries told attendees "the stakes could not be any higher." He warned that Republicans will "take a blowtorch" to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Social Security and the CHIPS and Science Act — the legislation that is credited with helping attract Micron to central New York.
Mannion, Jeffries added, will seek common ground in the House and work to protect critical programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. He also highlighted Mannion's support for abortion rights, addressing climate change and fixing the immigration system.
At a press conference with reporters, Jeffries explained why the 22nd Congressional District is a key race for House Democrats.
"The election of John Mannion is critically important to our efforts to take back control of the House in order to be able to deliver for hardworking taxpayers here in central New York, throughout the great state of New York and the nation," he said.
Jeffries continued, "It certainly will help determine the fate of whether we actually have a Congress willing to get things done, solve problems and deliver real results, or we have a Congress anchored by folks like Brandon Williams that's delivered nothing but chaos, dysfunction and extremism throughout the entirety of the last 24 months."
Democrats haven't held the Syracuse-area congressional seat since 2014, when former U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei was defeated after serving two nonconsecutive terms in the House. Former Congressman Anthony Brindisi, a Democrat, represented the Utica area for one term, from 2019 to 2021. Syracuse and Utica are now part of the 22nd district.
The party is confident about Mannion's chances in the central New York race. A public poll hasn't been released, but there was a hint of Mannion's advantage in the race when a Democratic-leaning group canceled its advertising because of an internal poll showing the Democrat had a sizable lead in the 22nd district.
Jeffries said House Democrats are excited by the possibility of Mannion joining their ranks.
"He's exactly the type of person that we need in the United States Congress to build upon the progress that we were able to make under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris," Jeffries said.
Mannion is appreciative of the support he's received from Jeffries and House Democrats throughout the race. He said his campaign, along with the national and state parties, have coordinated to ensure they are reaching voters in the 22nd district.
"People know our message. They know we're here to deliver," Mannion said. "And the leader's support, it's really been an honor to receive that support and for him to come to the district really means a lot to me."
Early voting concludes Sunday. Election Day is Tuesday. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or . Love Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Online producer/politics reporter
