As 2024 is coming to an end, the Broome County Republican Committee and local officials gathered tonight at the Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City to celebrate the holidays and regroup for the 2025 political year.  

Chairman of Broome County Republican Committee Benji Federman says the party is proud of the victories they saw this past year. 

"We kept our supermajority on the Broome County legislature, kept full Republican control in the town of Union," Federman said. "There were some races where we came up just short where we were underdogs, but we're really, really proud of the efforts that our candidates made."

Federman says one of the keys for the next election is to focus on low-propensity voters to help increase turnout for next year's races compared to this years, like the race for the 19th congressional district, where Congressman Marc Molinaro lost a tightly contested race to Democratic candidate and Endicott native Josh Riley. 

"I learned from, you know, from our losses more than you learn from your victories," Molinaro said. "They spent $250 million on four races in the entire state of New York. The fact that ours was so close is very gratifying because we held our own."

Molinaro told tonight's crowd that he isn't going anywhere and says he will stay present in the community. 

"I'm certainly going to weigh my options," Molinaro said. "I do have some opportunity, but returning to public service is something I'd like to do. And when I in the voters think that that makes sense, I'll ask the voters for an opportunity to serve."

As 2025 is just around the corner, Federman says the biggest goal is to help the city of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham earn a second term. 

"Jared Kraham has served as mayor for the past three and a half, three years, and he's doing a phenomenal job being a backstop to some of those more liberal progressive policies, but also advancing the community, focusing on quality of life and public safety," Federman said. 

Kraham has held the mayor position since 2022 and has focused on improving public safety, brought funding to improve infrastructure to Henry Street, and helped secure $5 million to help city homeowners with house repairs.