Zogby running for supervisor

ONEIDA, N.Y. » Former City of Oneida Common Councilor Brahim Zogby is entering his name as a candidate for Oneida Supervisor.

Zogby, who filed his petition Tuesday according to the Madison County Board of Elections, joins fellow Republicans Mary Cavanagh and incumbent John Reinhardt in a bid for Oneida District 1 Supervisor, setting the stage for a Republican primary.

Zogby previously served as the City of Oneida Ward 1 Councilor for two terms from 2012-2015. The attempt to transition from city to county government comes from a belief that he can accomplish more for the City of Oneida at the county level than in his previous post.

“I’ve analyzed where my strengths are and where I want to serve the citizens in Oneida,” Zogby said. “I think my experience will serve the residents well. I understand the problems the city faces.”

And though he says he has not received endorsement from the City of Oneida Republican Com-

mittee, Zogby is not deterred.

“Why should five or six people make a decision for 1,200 Republicans?” he asked.

Zogby said that while working on behalf of the Republican Party, residents wanted to know what office he would be running for this election season. So, in response, Zogby began seeking signatures for his own petition for Oneida District 1 Supervisor. In a matter of three to four days, he obtained twice as many signatures as required, further solidifying his be- lief that he is the right man for the job. The petition, he said, gave him “the green light” to run.

“It’s time for a bit of a change at the county level,” he said. Political office hopefuls must have their signed petitions filed by the end of the business day on Thursday, July 13.

Zogby is retired from managing Wells Fargo Bank’s mortgage origination operation. His family owned and operated a food market on Madison Street for several years.

Over the course of 40 years, Zogby has worked in education, government, the pharmaceutical industry and mortgage banking. He is currently a substitute teacher at Oneida High School. This is his first venture back into the political game following a narrow-defeat to Leo Matzke in the 2015 election for City of Oneida mayor.

In addition to the three Republican candidates who filed petitions for the chance at for two Oneida District 1 seats, Democrat Margaret Milman-Barris, who was selected to represent the City of Oneida District 1 following the resignation of Scott Henderson, has also filed a petition.

In this election cycle, all Oneida common councilors are up for re-election as well as all four county supervisors who represent Oneida, according to board of elections information.

Zogby