Republican Party Crasher

When Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney, 43, won her post in 2007, it was despite her own party's best efforts.

After announcing her candidacy in the GOP primary, Onondaga County Republican committee chairman John DeSpirito called her to ask her not to challenge party-backed candidate Dale Sweetland.

According to Mahoney, DeSpirito was concerned with her family life as well as the party.

"He asked me who would take care of my kids," said the County Executive.

With only a stint on the Syracuse Common Council and an unsuccessful campaign for mayor to her name, Mahoney soon found herself on the wrong side of the local GOP's "good ol' boys network."

Mahoney said in an interview that Onondaga Republican leadership felt it was Sweetland's turn to run the county. Despite their opposition, Mahoney won the nomination by just 21 votes before a landslide victory over Democratic candidate Bill Magnarelli in the general election.

These days, she runs Onondaga County with no help from the GOP committee leadership.

"I have nothing to do with the local party," Mahoney said. "They have nothing to do with me, and it doesn't affect me at all."