Dale A. Sweetland (born March 29, 1949) is a Republican politician from Fabius, New York. In 2008, Sweetland ran for the seat of retiring Republican Congressman James T. Walsh, against Democrat Dan Maffei, but was defeated 55% to 42% in the November 4 general election.

Dale Sweetland
Personal details
Born (1949-03-29) March 29, 1949 (age 75)
Fabius, New York
Political partyRepublican
SpouseSusan Sweetland
ResidenceFabius, New York
OccupationFormer Chairman of Onondaga County Legislature, former US Congressional candidate

Political career edit

Dale Sweetland was first elected to public office in 1988, when he won election as Town Supervisor for the town of Fabius, New York, serving in this post until 1994. Sweetland was elected to the Onondaga County Legislature in 1994, serving as the representative of the 12th Legislative District for seven terms.

His fellow County Legislators elected Sweetland as their Chairman in 2002, a post he continued to hold for the next six years. In March 2007, Sweetland announced his candidacy for Onondaga County Executive, following the announced retirement of Nicholas J. Pirro. Sweetland won the endorsement of the Onondaga County GOP but lost the Republican primary by 21 votes to Joanie Mahoney,[1] who went on to a 22-point victory over her Democratic opponent.

2008 Congressional campaign edit

In April 2008, Sweetland announced his candidacy for the United States Congress.[2] In May 2008, Sweetland became the designated Republican candidate to replace Congressman James T. Walsh by winning the support of the Republican Party committees in Onondaga, Wayne, Monroe, and Cayuga Counties. In May 2008 and again on June 20, 2008, the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, author of "The Fix", ranked the race to replace James T. Walsh the #1 Congressional race to turn over from a "Red" seat to a "Blue" seat 2008.[3][4]

On November 4 Maffei defeated Sweetland, 55% to 42%.[5]

Electoral history edit

US House election, 2008: New York District 25, 99.2% reporting
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Dan Maffei 146,411 54.5 +5.3
Republican Dale Sweetland 113,358 42.2 +42.2
Green Howie Hawkins 8,855 3.3 +3.3
Majority 33,053 12.3 +10.7
Turnout 268,624 100 +23.4
Onondaga County Executive Republican Primary, 2007
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joanie Mahoney 10,412 49.2 N/A
Republican Dale Sweetland 10,391 49.1 N/A
Majority 21 0.1
Turnout 21,125

References edit

  1. ^ John Mariani. "Looks like a win for Joanie Mahoney", Syracuse Post-Standard, September 25, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  2. ^ Pedro Ramirez III. "Dale Sweetland announces run for Congress", Syracuse Post-Standard, April 3, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  3. ^ Chris Cillizza. "Friday House Line: Dems Could Gain 20 Seats", "The Fix", The Washington Post, June 6, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  4. ^ Chris Cillizza. "Generic Ballot Distress for House GOP", "The Fix", The Washington Post, June 20, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  5. ^ http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapHNY/H/25 US House - New York 25 Results

External links edit