Former Oswego County Legislature Minority Leader Tom Drumm will run for a state Senate seat in Central New York in 2024.

The Democrat announced Wednesday he will seek the seat representing New York’s 50th state Senate District, which includes Syracuse’s northern, western and eastern suburbs, as well as Central Square and the cities of Fulton and Oswego. The seat is being vacated by Democratic state Sen. John Mannion, who is running for Congress.

“We are living in one of the most polarized times in our history. Folks have reverted back into their respective ideological corners, on both sides. In Central New York, we're not immune to this, but I believe we have more that unites us then separates us,” Drumm said. “I’ve committed the majority of my adult life to public service, and the idea of being able to serve my hometown in Albany is a tremendous opportunity, and one that I don’t take lightly. What has also become incredibly clear to me is that my generation cannot sit this one out. We can’t be on sidelines. We need a new generation of leadership in Albany.”

Drumm was elected to the Oswego County Legislature in 2015 at the age of 22, the youngest county legislator in the state at the time. He eventually became minority leader and decided not to seek reelection in 2021. He has worked for organizations including the New York State Democratic Committee and the New York State United Teachers and currently works for the New York State Nurses Association. 

Drumm has been endorsed by Oswego County Democratic Party chair Betsy Passer.

Drumm joins Republican Onondaga County Legislature Chairman James Rowley in seeking the seat.

The 50th state Senate District was long held by Republican John DeFrancisco before his retirement in 2018. It was then filled by Republican Bob Antonacci before he sought and won a judgeship. Mannion won the seat in 2020 and was narrowly reelected in 2022. It has been a very competitive district over the last few cycles.