John Mannion wins upstate N.Y. District 22 House seat, defeating incumbent GOP Rep. Brandon Williams

John Mannion won the District 22 Central New York House seat from incumbent Republican Rep. Brandon Williams connected Tuesday, winning the contention with astir ballots counted by about 23,000 votes, according to the Associated Press.

The result came arsenic a alleviation for Democrats, who saw the territory arsenic perhaps their strongest chance of flipping a House spot successful the full country. 

The contention was among six battleground legislature elections crossed New York state, with Democrats hoping to regain power of the House aft they turned implicit respective seats to Republicans successful 2022.

Williams antecedently won the district successful the 2022 predetermination by conscionable a azygous percent point. 

On the run way Williams, a first-term conservative, supported erstwhile President Donald Trump and mostly opposed termination rights. 

Since taking office, he’s softened his stance connected immoderate issues successful what helium calls a “common consciousness approach,” emphasizing issues similar authorities spending, enactment for taxation cuts and enactment for police.

Mannion, a former subject teacher, has the backing of the almighty authorities teacher’s union. He’s a mean and successful the lead-up to the election has said helium has nary qualms astir moving with colleagues crossed the aisle. 

In the past, he’s won his elected office by slim margins. First elected to the authorities legislature successful 2020, helium won his reelection by conscionable 10 votes retired of astir 123,000 votes.

The Democrat has besides faced sexism and workplace harassment allegations, with a radical of former staffers coming forward successful June. He has denied the allegations.

Despite that, helium defeated Democratic superior hostile Sarah Klee Hood by much than 24 percent points. 

Williams has besides been accused of harassment, with the Congressman caught connected video successful December 2023 threatening a apical staffer.

Late Tuesday night, it remained excessively aboriginal to telephone which enactment volition gain a bulk successful the House of Representatives, with ballots inactive being counted crossed the country.