John Lemondes undecided about GOP primary for Congress, rules out run for state Senate
By Mark Weiner | mweiner@syracuse.com
on March 06, 2014 at 7:08 PM, updated March 07, 2014 at 11:57 AM
WASHINGTON -- Retired Army Col. John Lemondes, who finished second in the race for the Republican designation for Congress, said today he has ruled out a possible campaign for state Senate.
Lemondes, 48, of LaFayette, lives in the district of State Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, who currently has no Republican opponent in this year's election.
Lemondes had been rumored as a possible opponent to Valesky after his strong showing Saturday in the Republican committee vote for a candidate in the 24th Congressional District.
Former federal prosecutor John Katko, of Camillus, received the designation as the GOP candidate for the congressional seat.
In an interview today, Lemondes said he has not decided whether to launch a campaign to force a Republican primary in the 24th District. Candidates were allowed to begin passing petitions on Tuesday. At least 1,250 valid signatures are needed in order to secure a place on the June 24 primary ballot.
Lemondes was among eight candidates seeking the Republican designation for Congress. Katko received the party's backing to take on Rep. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse, in the November election. Most of the candidates who lost in the party designation process have endorsed Katko.
Lemondes said he has no interest in seeking other elected posts besides the 24th Congressional District seat. The district covers all of Onondaga, Cayuga and Wayne counties and the western half of Oswego County.
