Why John Mannion sat out the DNC as NY-22 takes center stage among Dems (2024)

CHICAGO – As Democrats gathered in Chicago this week to officially choose their candidate for president, party representatives from New York repeatedly directed their attention to the race for the 22nd Congressional District.

The district was the talk of the New York delegation, as its members stressed its importance to winning control of the House of Representatives. But its central player, John Mannion, was watching from his home turf in Central New York.

Mannion is challenging Republican incumbent Brandon Williams for the seat in November.

Mannion said that although it was “somewhat of a tough decision” not to attend the convention, he felt the need to stay with his potential constituents this week to further his campaign.

“I’ve only got 74 days until Election Day and I need to engage as many voters as I can. And those voters are here in New York and Mohawk Valley. They’re not in Chicago,” he said in a phone interview Thursday. “So although I really appreciate and have watched, you know, the energized and forward-thinking message…the work really has to be done here in, and each one of these days is critical.

The NY-22 race will be pivotal for both parties. Democrats need to net a minimum of four seats to secure a majority in the House of Representatives.

Syracuse 5th District Common Councilor Jimmy Monto is a delegate at the convention representing Central New York. Monto said he has been inspired by the momentum picking up in the congressional district leading up to the convention.

“What we’re seeing in NY-22, especially over the last four to five weeks, is a tremendous amount of energy from voters and volunteers. People want to get out there and make a change. Not just at the top of the ticket with, you know, Kamala Harris, but also NY-22,” Monto said. “We’re suddenly seeing volunteers really getting up on their feet and mobilizing.”

Monto said he is not concerned that Mannion did not attend the DNC this week. He believes his presence is more important in the district because his potential constituents are primarily in Central New York, not Chicago.

Monto pointed out that not even Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris was at the convention for the entire schedule.

“The best use of John Manion’s time is just talking to the voters… Not many of his voters are in this room or the United Center. They’re home in New York 22, and I’m happy that he’s where he is doing what he’s doing,” Monto said. “Look at Kamala Harris, our vice president. She did not sit in the United Center for all four days… She’s at rallies in other states where she needs to get the vote out. She’s been in the swing states while we are here nominating her.”

Former Onondaga County Democratic Committee Chair and NY-22 delegate Diane Dwire said to win the Congressional races and flip the House, she and other delegates should look to target undecided voters at nonpartisan events.

“There is a large group of people who are on the fence. We call them the ‘persuadables.’ I want to get them on our side of the fence. And that’s where I’ll go,” Dwire said. “You’ve got to go to all the counties, be visible, and attend major events. One of the mistakes we tend to make is going to many democratic functions. We don’t need to go to them.”

Williams faced criticism during his first campaign for not living in the district (district lines were redrawn and now include Williams’ home). At-Large delegate Lisa Sacco said she finds it “disheartening” to have a representative who seems so removed from the district.

“I think John needs to continue what he’s doing… He’s been all over the place, which shows the voters that he’s there for them, and to that effect, I feel like we haven’t seen Congressman Williams at that same kind of level,” she said.

Peggy Chase, a delegate and former Onondaga County legislator said that although she is optimistic about Mannion being the next Congressional representative, there is still work to be done.

“I think he’s got a decent chance, but we can’t take anything for granted because that’s why we’ve got Brandon Williams… We can’t stop. As Tim Walz says, ‘We can sleep when we’re dead.’ We’ve got to keep going.”

Anna Ginelli is a senior journalism student at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. She is part of a group of student journalists providing coverage of the DNC for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard.