Although no Republican has filed for the seat of retiring Rep. Jim Walsh (R) yet, four GOPers this week informed the Onondaga County Republican Party that they intend to compete for the party’s endorsement at its May Day convention.

According to several Syracuse media outlets Tuesday, the would-be Republican candidates are state Assemblyman Bob Oaks, former Onondaga County Legislator Dale Sweetland, Manlius Village Trustee Mark-Paul Serafin, and David Gay, the local coordinator for the presidential campaign of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

An endorsement from the local GOP does not guarantee the Republican nomination, however, and there could well be a primary in September.

The likely Democratic nominee is former Capitol Hill aide Dan Maffei, who came close to ousting Walsh in 2006.
— Josh Kurtz