Our Candidates

Blake Gendebien

Second-generation North Country farmer & small business owner

Blake and his wife Carmen have raised their three sons on Twin Mill Farm in Lisbon, growing the farm to 500 head of cattle. He represented more than 450 farmers as Vice Chair of the largest dairy co-op in the Northeast, and started a non-profit with his wife to support North Country families dealing with cancer.

In Washington, Blake will work with anyone to lower costs at the grocery store, protect and expand healthcare access, fix our broken immigration system, and make government work for the people — not just the wealthiest among us.

Jon Lipe

Born in Rome, raised in Floyd — experienced public servant and policy advisor

Jon graduated from Holland Patent High School and witnessed firsthand as local families left when industries declined and Griffiss Air Force Base closed — with his union president father leading the fight to save the base. He interned with Congressman Sherwood Boehlert in college, learning the importance of putting people over party, and later served as top policy advisor to Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi in Congress, working on veterans' affairs, tax, trade, healthcare, and energy.

After 2020, Jon returned home to Whitesboro with his wife Kelli and their family. He now works for Congressman John Mannion and is running for State Assembly to tackle high energy costs, job shortages, and healthcare challenges in Oneida County with experienced, principled leadership.

Joe Betar

Attorney, elected official & lifelong resident of the 119th Assembly District

Joe serves as a Principal Attorney with the New York State Unified Court System and as President Pro Tempore of the Utica Common Council. A magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, he has built his career around integrity, disciplined leadership, and public service.

On the Common Council, Joe was unanimously elected Chair of the Committee of the Whole, focusing on responsible budgeting, constituent service, and bipartisan cooperation. As a proud CSEA union member, he believes in protecting workers' rights and standing up for the employees who keep our communities strong.

Joe volunteers for the Oneida County Bar Association's Annual Legal Line, coaches students in the NY State Bar Association's Mock Trial Program, and mentors the next generation of civic leaders. He lives in Utica with his wife Erica, their two sons, and their dog Luna.

Matthew J. Skinner

Attorney & public servant from Ilion — 5th Judicial District: Onondaga, Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis, Jefferson & Oswego Counties

Matt brings a career defined by advancing LGBTQ civil rights and expanding access to justice. After nearly a decade inside the Office of Court Administration in the New York State Unified Court System, he currently serves as the principal law clerk to the Hon. John W. Dillon in Onondaga County Supreme Court. He has also clerked for a federal judge, litigated at an international law firm, and oversaw a network of free legal clinics.

Matt is deeply engaged in the legal community, serving as president of both The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York and Legal Services of Central New York, second vice president of the Oneida County Bar Association, and Oneida County delegate to the New York State Bar Association's House of Delegates.

Mandi Drake

Art educator, small business owner & lifelong Mohawk Valley resident

Raised in a working-class family, Mandi is an art educator and local small business owner whose life and career have kept her close to the realities faced by working people — from the affordability crisis to the daily financial strain families endure. She represents a new generation of Democrats who believe leaders should come from the communities they serve, not political bubbles disconnected from ordinary life.

Across the country, Democratic women are winning in communities overlooked by Republican politicians — including right here in upstate New York. Mandi intends to be one of those leaders: standing up for workers, confronting Republican extremism, and focusing on the needs of families like her own.

Mike Brown

Educator, entrepreneur & lifelong public servant from Rome

Mike brings a "project management" lens to the Oneida County Clerk's office, shaped by years as an educator, Oneida County Legislator, and City of Rome Main Streets Director — where he worked across administrations to drive local growth.

As one of the owners of Copperccino's Coffee House and an entrepreneur launching new ventures in downtown Rome, Mike knows firsthand how to navigate county filings and business processes — and is uniquely prepared to simplify those same processes for every resident and business owner in Oneida County.

Tom Theall

Public servant & educator focused on accountability, affordability & community

Tom combines a proven track record of responsible leadership with bold plans to improve Oneida County. His platform centers on a 25% cut in both sales and property taxes to make the county more affordable and competitive, a Healthy Schools Initiative bringing locally sourced food and nutrition education into classrooms, and innovative public safety reform pairing mental health professionals with law enforcement to reduce recidivism and support families.

With experience in public service and education, Tom understands accountability, transparency, and the real impact of public policy on everyday lives.