Upstate Jobs Party Announces Bipartisan Slate of Local Candidates in CNY, Mohawk Valley
Democratic Mayor of Little Falls and Republican Onondaga County Executive File Petitions to Run on Independent Line, Noting Strong Support for of UJP Priorities
Albany, NY – Upstate Jobs Party (UJP) Chair John Bullis today announced that candidates from both major Parties have filed petitions with the Board of Elections to run on the UJP line. Republican Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon and Democratic Little Falls Mayor Mark Blask, both have filed petitions to secure the UJP line for their respective elections. Both candidates have affirmed a strong bi-partisan, partnership approach to policy that will enable business investment and job growth in their communities.
UJP Chair John Bullis said, “The Upstate Jobs Party sought local candidates who truly believed in our mission and we couldn’t be more excited to have found leaders like Mark Blask and Ryan McMahon. It’s clear they are the right candidates to forward the UJP mission of reversing the outmigration of our young talent, developing policy to enable private investment in our economy and reforming State government, all in a collegial manner.
McMahon is running for his first full term as County Executive. He earned a reputation as a bi-partisan problem solver from the start of his career. He was first elected to the Syracuse Common Council at age 25, then to the County Legislature, where he was chosen as Chair – becoming the youngest to serve in that role. Under his leadership, property taxes were reduced to historic lows. Since taking office as County Executive, McMahon has focused on initiatives to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure and boost economic development. In the six months since taking office, he worked with the Legislature to eliminate burial fees at the county veterans’ cemetery, introduced a day labor program to give panhandlers the option to work, expanded the library system’s take-home broadband program, worked closely with area businesses to support job growth, and much more.
Blask, a Democrat completing his first term, has focused his efforts as Mayor on bipartisan approaches to community development, economic growth, and strategic investment. Mark was born and raised in Little Falls, New York. Blask joined the Navy immediately after high school, serving first as an enlisted man, then was commissioned as an officer through the JAG Corps. Mark served his country for more than 27 years in the Navy, including tours overseas for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Joint Endeavor in support of NATO forces in Bosnia as well as the nation’s Global War on Terror in Afghanistan. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service and achievements.” Mark and his wife returned to their hometown of Little Falls, where he was first elected Mayor in 2015.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “I’m thrilled to have secured the voter support needed to run on the UJP line this fall. Central New Yorkers look for this ballot line when seeking candidates that want to improve our region’s economy and overall quality of life. This is directly in alignment with my priorities of fighting poverty, investing in infrastructure, and improving economic development opportunities.”
Little Falls Mayor Mark Blask said, “UJP represents another platform to focus on bipartisan solutions, rather than the negative approach so many take in politics today. I’m proud to be running on the UJP line and supporting an ecosystem that will allow private industry to invest and grow in Upstate New York.”
The UJP is focused on building priorities around stemming the outflow of our young talent, getting government out of the way of investors and entrepreneurs, and fully reforming New York State government. Founded in 2016, the Upstate Jobs Party is an organization working to improve the Upstate economy through the platform initially forwarded by Martin Babinec, a successful entrepreneur who has helped hundreds of others start and grow companies in Upstate NY.
In 2017, Upstate Jobs Party supported independent candidate Ben Walsh, who successfully upset the political establishment by winning election as Syracuse Mayor on an Upstate Jobs Party line. In 2018, UJP endorsed Republicans Bob Antonacci (Syracuse) and Daphne Jordan (Halfmoon) for State Senate and Democrat Carrie Woerner (Round Lake) for State Assembly. All were elected.
The UJP will commit significant resources, including from the organization’s Independent Expenditure Committee, to electing candidates that believe in real policies to grow the Upstate economy in the 2019 campaign cycle. Volunteers interested in joining the effort to create more jobs in Upstate NY, keep our best and brightest talent from leaving to pursue opportunities elsewhere, and build a strong economy throughout the region are encouraged to visit UpstateJobs.org to learn more.