Oneida County executive race: Anthony Picente to run for fifth term
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. is running for reelection.
In a Saturday, Jan. 21 statement, Friends of Tony Picente announced he received the endorsement of the Oneida County Republican Committee.
The endorsement initiates Picente's run for an unprecedented fifth term, though he has not formally announced his candidacy in the way he has in previous years. In 2019, Picente announced his bid for reelection at 72 Tavern and Grill in Utica, surrounded by supporters.
State Assemblyman Brian Miller nominated Picente, according to a statement. Picente was the only candidate for county executive to screen in front of the committee.
“I'm humbled and honored to receive the support of the Oneida County Republican Party in my race for re-election,” Picente said.
Who else is running for Oneida County executive
Picente is the first candidate to announce a campaign for the seat.
He is Oneida's 13th county executive and the longest serving in its history. Picente was appointed to the job in 2006 to fill out the term of former county executive Joseph Griffo after Griffo was elected to the state Senate. Picente was then elected to four-year terms in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
The county executive position is the only political seat for which Picente has run.
Anthony Picente has been Oneida County executive since 2006
Given his long tenure as county executive, Picente has overseen a number of changes in the county, including:
Oneida Nation settlement agreement
Opening the Wolfspeed silicon carbide chip fab in Marcy
Development at Griffiss International Airport at the Innovare Advancement Center and Sky Dome
Development of The Nexus Center
Rehabilitating the historic REA Wing and creating the Public Market
Over $20 million on 40 projects to combat devastating flooding
Picente said he has followed a "strong fiscally conservative approach to government" during his time in office.
"I have done that by not raising the property tax levy in 10 years, increasing our fund balance and our credit ratings and not borrowing more than we can afford," he said. "With that foundation in place, we have been able to make unbelievable investments in our community from increasing tourism and revamping our healthcare, to combating the devastating effects of flooding.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente to run for fifth term
