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.

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.

Sheriff Robert Maciol

Oneida County Sheriff since 2011 — lifelong public servant, firefighter & community leader

Sheriff Maciol began his public service at age 18 as a volunteer firefighter and was appointed a patrolman at 20. After 21 years with the Whitesboro Police Department — including six years as a D.A.R.E. officer — he took office as Oneida County Sheriff on January 1, 2011, saving over $3 million in taxpayer money in his first year alone.

A 2014 graduate of the National Sheriff's Institute Executive Level Management Training, Sheriff Maciol has led initiatives including the Oneida County Drug Task Force, Burglary Task Force, GIVE Initiative, and School Resource Officer programs. In 2016, the Governor appointed him to the NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Council.

Sheriff Maciol also made local history as the youngest Mayor of the Village of New York Mills, serving from 2000–2010. He remains deeply active in the community through the Red Cross, YWCA Domestic Violence Coalition, NAACP, NY Farm Bureau, Sons of the American Legion, and many more organizations. His focus has always been on the victims of violence and crime — their needs come first.