Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney is leaving her position atop county government to become the chief operating officer at SUNY-ESF.

Mahoney said she would staying until after the budget is passed in October. County legislators will take steps to vote in an interim executive.

Mahoney was first elected in 2007, and was re-elected to a third term in 2015.

“This is not a decision that I made lightly. Serving as Onondaga County Executive is the greatest job and the highest honor I have had,” Mahoney said. “I am aware however, that no one is irreplaceable and we can also be served by a fresh perspective and a new set of eyes in the County Executive’s Office.”

While in office, the Republican kept a close relationship with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo that coincided with major improvements of the New York State Fairgrounds, but had public feuds with politicians closer to home. Mahoney and former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner battled over tax breaks for developers doing work within the city, and the county executive and county Comptroller Bob Antonacci clashed over pay raises the legislature vote for itself and Mahoney.

Under Mahoney’s watch, the county opened a major convert venue, the St. Joseph’s Heath Amphitheater at Lakeview, which recently landed a seven-figure naming rights deal. She had also pushed for a new publicly financed Syracuse University stadium and a consolidation plan to merge municipality resources in an effort to save taxpayer dollars.

“I will be leaving the County in a good position; our finances are strong, our infrastructure is in good working order, Onondaga Lake is thriving and we have the best workforce you will find anywhere,” she said.

Mahoney’s third term was set to expire at the end of 2019, and according to Mahoney, county leaders are not planning a special election to fill the remaining of her term.

The Onondaga County Legislature chairman, Ryan McMahon, will be seeking the seat for county executive with Mahoney's departure. 

McMahon released a statement, saying in part: 

"Joanie Mahoney is a good county executive, and while working with the county legislature, brought dynamic growth to our county while making government more efficient."

He has served as chair since 2012 and previously served on the Syracuse Common Council.