Jessica Crawford Explores Run for State Senate

Syracuse-area business woman Jessica Crawford announced that she is exploring a run for state Senate in the 49th District. Crawford is an executive with SRC (formerly Syracuse Research Corporation) and the founding chair of the young professionals group 40 Below.

Crawford said that she’s considering a run because, like so many Upstate New Yorkers, she’s tired of seeing family and friends forced out of state by ever-increasing taxes and a lack of opportunity.

“Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are wonderful places to live, filled with hard-working people,” said Crawford. “But Albany is driving our state into the ground. At what point do we rise up and say, ‘enough is enough?’”

Crawford believes that any plan for economic growth, jobs and recovery starts with reigning in Albany and providing tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses instead of higher taxes and more government spending.

“For Upstate New York to retain its most valuable asset – its people – we need jobs and an economy where individuals, families and small businesses can reach their full potential,” said Crawford.

In preparation to run, Crawford has opened a campaign bank account, Friends of Jessica Crawford, and has met with Republican Party officials in the 49th District and Albany.

“If I do this, my goal will be to help create an Upstate New York that people want to move to rather than leave,” said Crawford.

The 49th District comprises all of Madison County and parts of Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga counties. Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats, 56,195 to 55,207.

About Jessica

A motivated, business woman and energetic community leader, Jessica Crawford envisions an Upstate New York that people want to move to rather than leave.

As a business woman, she knows what it takes to create jobs in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. Jessica Crawford’s work with some of the area’s fastest-growing employers has significantly strengthened their commitment to the local economy.

As a community leader, she understands that for Upstate New York to retain its most valuable asset – its people – we need jobs and an economy where individuals and families can reach their potential.

Upstate Roots

Born and raised in Watertown, NY, Jessica Crawford is the youngest of seven children. Her mom was a nurse and her dad sold agricultural products and served in the Air National Guard.

Two brothers served in the Navy and the Air Force.

Both sets of great grandparents were farmers in the Watertown area. Her paternal grandparents were farmers in Baldwinsville.

Studied at Syracuse University and earned her bachelor’s of arts in economics and policy studies.

Continued her graduate studies at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and received a Master of Public Administration degree (MPA).

Jessica Crawford has called the City of Syracuse home for 13 years.

Local Experience

Jessica Crawford is an executive with one the fastest-growing employers in Upstate New York – SRC, formerly Syracuse Research Corporation. Along with its manufacturing arm SRCTec, SRC is a nationally recognized, R&D company that produces life-saving equipment for our service men and women. SRC has more than doubled its workforce since 2002, today employing over 1000 people.

Managed external relations for employee-owned and Syracuse-based engineering firm O’Brien & Gere. A dedicated member of the business community, O’Brien & Gere is moving its headquarters to downtown Syracuse.

Served as associate director of the Office of Government and Community Relations at Syracuse University where she helped to improve ties between the University and the region.

Community Leadership

Jessica Crawford is the founding chair of 40 Below. One of the largest young professional organizations in the nation, 40 Below is dedicated to reversing the migration of young people out of Upstate New York and giving them reasons to stay.

Member of the United Way Gifts Cabinet and co-chaired SRC’s corporate campaign for the last two years, raising a record total of more than $208,000 and earning the United Way’s Campaign Excellence Award.

Recently elected to the Board of Trustees for the Crouse Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Crouse Hospital.

Why is She Running?

Like so many families in the region, after 30 years, Jessica Crawford’s parents are selling their home and moving out of state to seek relief from higher taxes.

Her sister and brother-in-law are cutting back on their own expenses while New York State is increasing spending by 9% and taking away STAR rebates, forcing struggling families to shoulder additional burdens in the form of higher taxes and fees.

Jessica doesn’t accept the fact that we live in a state where crushing taxes and out of control spending are driving her parents out. Upstate families deserve better.

She won’t accept that many of her friends and peers believe that their only path for success is to leave New York. It does not have to be this way.

Free Upstate

Jessica Crawford is a job-creator that will be a voice for people who want to stay in Upstate New York, but are being crushed, pushed out, or otherwise ignored by the state government in Albany.

She believes that any plan for economic growth, jobs and rapid recovery starts with tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses instead of higher taxes and more spending by Albany politicians.

According to the non-partisan Tax Foundation, New York ranks as the 49^th worst state in which to do business. Albany’s war on jobs and prosperity must be stopped. Punishing taxes and runaway spending are driving people and businesses away and destroying the state.

Jessica Crawford believes that we need to regain our independence and our spirit of innovation from Downstate political dominance and bring integrity back to public office. It is time to finally free Upstate from Albany’s certain recipe for failure.

Jessica Crawford Explores Run for State Senate

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