Summary
John W. Mannion (born July 8, 1968) is an American politician who has served as the New York State Senator from the 50th district since 2020. He was elected defeating Republican Angi Renna and became the first Democrat to hold the seat in more than 50 years. Prior to becoming a state senator, Mannion was a high school biology teacher.
Mannion is the representative-elect for New York’s 22nd congressional district, having won the 2024 election against incumbent U.S. Representative Brandon Williams.
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About
Source: Campaign Site
This is my home, and I have a proven record delivering results for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
his is home.
My grandparents moved here from Ireland 100 years ago, looking for a better life. My father worked for 42 years at New York Central Railroad, and my mother worked for the New York Telephone Company. My wife, Jen, is an Elementary Reading teacher and I was an AP Biology and Chemistry teacher at West Genesee and the Syracuse City School District, each of us for almost 30 years.
We love this community
Central New York is where Jen and I have lived our entire lives and where we chose to raise our children – we want them to be able to stay here and start their own families.
After three decades as a public-school science teacher, I was tired of seeing things move the wrong direction, including decreases in funding and state government decisions that made it harder for kids to learn. That’s why I ran for State Senate.
We proved that when we bring together people in both parties, we can deliver big results for Upstate:
- I led the fight to pass the Green Chips legislation and help bring Micron to Syracuse which is going to create 60,000 new high-paying jobs across our region.
- I accelerated Middle Class tax cuts and provided property tax relief to help families save money.
- I created the first new police department in New York in half a century, here at Syracuse airport – helping keep our airport open and passengers safe, while it grows to meet future demand.
- And, together, we passed laws to protect a woman’s right to make her own personal health care decisions.
We need a representative in Congress who will deliver for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
We need someone in Congress who will wake up every morning thinking about how to deliver for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, remembering the challenges of the past. Someone who will work with Republicans and Democrats to create good paying jobs, bring down costs for working families, care for our veterans, improve public safety, provide world class education for our kids and guarantee a woman’s right to choose. That’s what I’ve been able to do in the State Senate, and what I’ll do in Congress.
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Finances
New York State Senate
In 2018, Mannion ran for the New York State Senate in the 50th district but narrowly lost to the incumbent, Republican Bob Antonacci. He ran again in 2020 and won the seat with 52.57% of the vote, defeating Republican Angi Renna.
Mannion’s 2022 re-election campaign was closely contested. On election night, Republican candidate Rebecca Shiroff led by 396 votes before absentee ballots were counted. A recount ultimately declared Mannion the winner, with a margin of 10 votes, making it the closest race in the 2022 New York State Senate elections.
In 2023, Mannion announced his candidacy for New York’s 22nd congressional district in the 2024 election, choosing not to seek re-election to the Senate. In June 2024, three former staffers accused Mannion and his wife of creating a hostile work environment. After an investigation, he was cleared of wrongdoing.
Committee assignments
Mannion is the chairperson of the Committee on Disabilities. He also serves as a member of the following committees:
- The Committee on Children and Families
- The Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
- The Committee on Education
- The Committee on Environmental Conservation
- The Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
- The Committee on Internet and Technology[5]
Source: Open Secrets
New Legislation
Issues
Source: Campaign page
Affordability
John Mannion knows how to create jobs, lower costs, and drive economic growth in the communities he represents. Protecting the pocketbooks of everyday New Yorkers has always been a top priority for John.
As the co-prime sponsor of New York’s Green Chips legislation, Senator Mannion helped secure the largest private investment in American history and brought Micron and tens of thousands of good-paying jobs to the Town of Clay, the County of Onondaga, and the greater Central New York and Mohawk Valley region. He also voted to eliminate junk fees, limit utility charges, and, during the height of the pandemic, voted to eliminate the state tax on gasoline.
With a strong record of supporting businesses and entrepreneurs, John is ready to bring his expertise from the New York State Senate to the halls of Congress. John Mannion’s priorities to lower costs for Central New York and Mohawk Valley families in Congress include:
- Lowering Taxes: Passing tax cuts for middle-class families and small businesses, as well as providing property tax relief.
- Creating New Jobs: Expanding and fully funding workforce training programs to build a high-tech workforce and provide opportunities for future generations.
- Improving America’s Infrastructure: Securing federal funding for critical infrastructure projects that create jobs, improve transportation, and strengthen our communities.
- Protecting Consumers: Limiting utility rate hikes and eliminating spurious junk fees.
- Increased Protections: Expanding consumer protections against price gouging for basic goods, like at the gas pump and in the grocery store.
- A Strong Bulwark: Providing workers with access to good paying union jobs in the trained and skilled professional trades to safeguard against price increases and a changing economy.
Reproductive Rights & Freedoms
John Mannion is the Planned Parenthood-endorsed candidate in this race because of his strong record protecting Central New York and Mohawk Valley women’s reproductive freedoms.
In the New York State Senate, John voted to expand access to contraception; to protect doctors who perform life-saving care; and, to make New York a beacon of hope for women nationwide who have been denied access to reproductive healthcare in their home states. Abortion is a deeply personal and lifesaving healthcare decision; one that should be made between a patient and doctor, and not by politicians. That’s why John earned a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood in each of his previous elections.
In Congress, John will continue to champion women’s rights and reproductive freedoms, including by:
- Codifying Reproductive Health Rights: Supporting the Women’s Health Protection Act to protect the right to access abortion care nationwide.
- Opposing Anti-Choice Legislation: Opposing a national abortion ban or any legislation that seeks to restrict reproductive rights, including access to birth control and IVF services.
- Protecting Care and Treatment: Opposing efforts to criminalize or penalize doctors and medical professionals who perform reproductive and maternal care services, and work to remove inequities in maternal care.
Education
John Mannion’s commitment to public education is rooted in decades of experience as a public school teacher. Before his election to the New York State Senate, John taught biology and chemistry in local public high schools for almost 30 years and served eight years as president of the West Genesee Teachers’ Association.
As a member of the New York Senate Education Committee, John Mannion was pivotal in passing a series of reforms to improve public education throughout our state, including:
- Securing millions of dollars to expand and fund thousands of pre-K slots in his district.
- Expanding access to school meals for breakfast and lunch.
- Increasing state aid to local school districts and fully funding the Foundation Aid formula for two consecutive years – a first since the formula was created in 2007.
New York’s teachers’ unions have endorsed John Mannion for Congress because they know he is the best choice for students and educators. An expert in education policy with three decades of experience in the classroom, he is ready to lead and make a difference in Congress. When elected, John’s priorities include:
- Investing in Public Schools: Increasing federal funding for public schools to reduce class sizes, improve facilities, and provide essential resources for students and teachers.
- Expanding Universal Pre-K: Fighting to expand universal pre-kindergarten to give every child a strong start and ensure they are ready to learn from day one.
- Improving Teacher Pay and Benefits: Advocating for improved teacher pay, benefits, and working conditions and supporting initiatives for professional development and mentorship programs.
The Environment
As a former science teacher and member of the New York State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, John Mannion is committed to growing a clean energy economy, protecting our environment, and combating climate change. That’s why John was endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, the biggest grassroots environmental organization in the state.
John has championed environmental conservation in the New York State Senate. He passed legislation to fight climate change and provide long-term protection to the water supply that hundreds of thousands of Central New Yorkers rely on.
As our representative in Congress, John will pursue policies that build a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. His priorities include:
- Combating Climate Change: Continuing American leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting communities from severe weather events.
- Guaranteeing Clean Air and Water: Providing additional funding to replace lead pipes in our water systems and ensuring clean air while we live, work, and play.
- Transitioning to A Green Energy Economy: Supporting the goals of a transition to renewable energy sources using wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear energy to power our economy.
- Affordability and Reliability: Ensuring that the transition to a renewable energy economy maintains affordable energy prices and reliable service, and is not done on the backs of hard working rate payers.
Healthcare
As Chair of the New York State Senate Disabilities Committee, John has spent years working to improve our healthcare system so that it can better serve everyone, especially our community members most in need of affordable, high-quality healthcare. As a Senator, John oversaw an increase in healthcare coverage from 92% to 99% of all state residents, which is a victory for improving health outcomes, fighting child poverty, and keeping more residents of the 22nd Congressional District happier and healthier. Additionally, John believes that people who have private health insurance should be able to keep their existing plan. There is no need to force anyone off of a plan that works for them.
- Safeguarding and Expanding access to the Affordable Care Act (ACA): Protecting the ACA is the best way to keep the country and residents of the 22nd Congressional District safe and healthy. The data is very simple: the more people with healthcare the healthier we all are as a country, which is why a public option should be available for low-income earners.
- Lowering Prescription Drug Prices: Negotiating lower drug prices and capping the cost of insulin for more Americans.
- Improving Access to Mental Health Services: Providing streamlined access to mental health support services and increasing the number of dual diagnosis beds.
- Protecting our Most Vulnerable: Senator John Mannion has always been a champion for people with disabilities, overseeing four consecutive cost-of-living-adjustment pay increases for workers who care for people with disabilities, such as Direct Care Professionals.
Addiction
Our communities face a devastating opioid and fentanyl crisis, with countless lives lost to overdose and addiction.
John Mannion believes in treatment and recovery, public awareness, and education. He recently passed a bill through the New York State Legislature requiring opioid antagonists, like Narcan, in public buildings in the State, similar to how Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are currently available. Through the state budget process, John also voted for record funding to combat opioid and drug addiction.
In Congress, John Mannion is committed to holding bad actors accountable for perpetuating the crisis while expanding treatments for Substance Use Disorders. His priorities include:
- Increasing Access to Resources for Treatment and Recovery: Increasing the availability and accessibility of addiction treatment services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), to support those struggling with substance use disorders.
- Expanding the Workforce: Implementing programs to recruit and retain skilled healthcare providers to provide life-saving substance use disorder treatment services.
- Supporting Community-Based Prevention Programs: Investing in local initiatives that educate and engage communities in preventing opioid misuse and supporting those in recovery.
Immigration
Central New York and the Mohawk Valley have long been a home for lawfully entering refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants as they have settled, opened new businesses, and become part of our communities.
A strong immigration system is supported by robust border security. Comprehensive border security reform has stalled in Congress for decades. Most recently, a bipartisan border deal was rejected by partisan politicians. This deal would have added more Customs and Border Protection personnel, streamlined the asylum process, and finally solved the border crisis. These are pragmatic, effective solutions that keep our communities safe. The crisis unfolding at the southern border must be dealt with in a comprehensive and transformative way that is sensible, humane, and secure.
John Mannion believes that a bipartisan, sensible, and humane solution must be found for this complex problem. In Congress, John will work with both Democrats and Republicans to fix our broken immigration system. His priorities include:
- A Comprehensive Border Deal: Passing a comprehensive and transformative border deal that protects our borders.
- Increased Resources: Adding more Customs and Border Protection personnel and increasing funding for immigration judges.
- A Safe and Equitable System: Ensuring that the immigration process is secure, proper, and humane for legal asylum seekers, DREAMers, and refugees.
Public Safety
John Mannion knows that when communities are safe, they prosper. That’s why he’s spent his career advocating for smart policies like community policing, providing judges with additional discretion behind the bench, and protecting our communities. John Mannion is proud to have been endorsed by many law enforcement unions across the Mohawk Valley and Central New York, like the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers.
As a New York State Senator, John created the first police force in New York in 50 years at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, provided judges with additional discretion behind the bench, and ensured that law enforcement and fire departments across CNY received funding to buy new equipment, rebuild facilities, and train new members.
John knows the communities learn and work best when they are safe and protected. His priorities include:
- Increased Mental Health Services: Providing mental health funding to law enforcement professionals for mental health support.
- Safer Policing: Increasing funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program for local police departments.
- Increased Public Safety Funding: Providing incentives for new firefighters to join our wonderful paid and volunteer fire departments and funding for modern firefighting equipment and facilities.
Social Security
John Mannion supports our Social Security and Medicare programs. As a State Senator, John worked hard to ensure that public retirement benefits were strengthened and drug costs were lowered, providing more retirees and seniors with the assistance they needed. John believes that robust support for both systems will safeguard seniors from poverty and provide them dignity in aging.
Social Security and Medicare must be protected from cuts or elimination. Americans have paid into these programs and earned the benefits that are afforded to them. John’s priorities include:
- Expanding Medicare to cover hearing, dental, and vision services.
- Lowering and capping the cost of prescription drugs and expanding the list of prescriptions that can be negotiated by Medicare.
- Limiting out-of-pocket medical expenses.
- Ensuring that Social Security remains strong and fully funded.
- Eliminating unfair and punitive programs like the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision from the Social Security program.
Veterans
Every veteran, no matter if they worked in the mess hall or on the front lines, deserves respect, honor, and dignity. Returning to civilian life is a challenging process for many and often leaves scars that are just as often invisible as they are visible.
As a Senator, John was proud to pass legislation to expand opportunities to veterans with disabilities and to provide additional funding to the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. Additionally, John supported and voted for legislation to extend eligibility to state programs for members of the national guard so that they, just like their brothers and sisters in the regular armed forces, can take advantage of the many benefits of service.
His priorities include:
- Opportunities Upon Return to Civilian Life: providing additional opportunities for gainful employment after military service.
- A More Effective VA: Ensuring adequate and efficient healthcare, including mental health support for all veterans.
- Community Led Projects: Supporting local veterans organizations with grant funding to support community engagement and projects.
More Information
Wikipedia
John W. Mannion (born July 8, 1968)[1] is an American politician who has served as the New York State Senator from the 50th district since 2020. He was elected defeating Republican Angi Renna and became the first Democrat to hold the seat in more than 50 years.[2] Prior to becoming a state senator, Mannion was a high school biology teacher.[3]
Mannion is the representative-elect for New York’s 22nd congressional district, having won the 2024 election against incumbent U.S. Representative Brandon Williams.[4]
Early life and education
Mannion was born and raised in Syracuse, New York,[1] and is the grandson of Irish immigrants. His mother worked for New York Telephone and his father was employed by New York Central Railroad.[5]
Mannion attended Bishop Ludden High School and later graduated from Binghamton University with a bachelor of science‘s degree in biology. He went on to earn a masters of science in secondary science education from SUNY Oswego.[1]
Teaching career
After completing his studies, Mannion became a high school biology teacher. He taught in the West Genesee Central School District, where he also served as president of the West Genesee Teachers’ Association.[3]
New York State Senate
In 2018, Mannion ran for the New York State Senate in the 50th district but narrowly lost to the incumbent, Republican Bob Antonacci. He ran again in 2020 and won the seat with 52.57% of the vote, defeating Republican Angi Renna.[6]
Mannion’s 2022 re-election campaign was closely contested. On election night, Republican candidate Rebecca Shiroff led by 396 votes before absentee ballots were counted.[7] A recount ultimately declared Mannion the winner, with a margin of 10 votes, making it the closest race in the 2022 New York State Senate elections.[8]
In 2023, Mannion announced his candidacy for New York’s 22nd congressional district in the 2024 election, choosing not to seek re-election to the Senate.[9] In June 2024, three former staffers accused Mannion and his wife of creating a hostile work environment.[10][11] After an investigation, he was cleared of wrongdoing.[12]
Committee assignments
Mannion is the chairperson of the Committee on Disabilities. He also serves as a member of the following committees:
- The Committee on Children and Families
- The Committee on Civil Service and Pensions
- The Committee on Education
- The Committee on Environmental Conservation
- The Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
- The Committee on Internet and Technology[5]
U.S. House of Representatives
Mannion won the 2024 Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 22nd congressional district. He defeated Sarah Klee Hood and went on to face incumbent Republican Representative Brandon Williams.[9]
Personal life
Mannion is married to his wife, Jennifer. They have three children.[3]
Electoral history
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Antonacci (incumbent) | 62,330 | 50.92 | |
| Democratic | John Mannion | 59,998 | 49.02 | |
| Write-in | 75 | 0.06 | ||
| Total votes | 157,828 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2020
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Mannion | 77,293 | 48.97 | |
| Working Families | John Mannion | 5,889 | 3.73 | |
| Total | John Mannion | 83,182 | 52.70 | |
| Republican | Angi Renna | 62,929 | 39.87 | |
| Conservative | Angi Renna | 9,806 | 6.21 | |
| Independence | Angi Renna | 2,308 | 1.62 | |
| Total | Angi Renna | 75,043 | 47.30 | |
| Total votes | 157,828 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Mannion (incumbent) | 61,579 | 50.004 | |
| Republican | Rebecca Shiroff | 61,569 | 49.996 | |
| Total votes | 123,148 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Mannion | 16,624 | 61.6 | |
| Democratic | Sarah Klee Hood | 10,373 | 38.4 | |
| Total votes | 26,997 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Mannion | 194,450 | 54.561 | |
| Republican | Brandon Williams (incumbent) | 161,939 | 45.439 | |
| Total votes | 356,389 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
References
- ^ a b c “John Mannion – D New York, 22nd, Candidate – Biography”. LegiStorm. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (May 26, 2022). “State Sen. John Mannion is seeking election to the United States House of Representatives in New York’s 22nd Congressional District”. The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c Baker, Chris (April 4, 2018). “Biology teacher John Mannion to run for 50th district NYS Senate seat”. The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Mahoney, Bill (June 25, 2024). “Mannion wins Democratic primary in battleground upstate New York House seat”. Politico. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b “About John W. Mannion”. New York State Senate. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ “John Mannion”. Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ Weaver, Teri (November 9, 2022). “Election 2022 coverage: Winners, losers and analysis of historic mid-terms”. The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Dowty, Douglass (December 19, 2022). “Mannion beats Shiroff by 10 votes in 50th NY Senate district; judge orders election certified”. The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Ashford, Grace (June 25, 2024). “State Senator Wins Swing-District House Primary in Central New York”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Harding, Robert (June 24, 2024). “Ex-Senate staffers accuse John Mannion of harassment, retaliation”. The Citizen. Auburn, New York. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ “REPORT: Former Aides Accuse Sen. John Mannion of Hostile Work Environment”. Fingerlakes1.com. June 20, 2024. Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (August 29, 2024). “State investigation clears John Mannion of creating hostile work environment”. The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York.
- ^ “New York State Senate District 50”. Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ “State Senator 50th Senate District – General Election – November 3, 2020”. New York State Board of Elections. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ “State Senator 50th Senate District – General Election – November 6, 2024”. New York State Board of Elections. December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
External links
