Julie Abbott, a former Republican legislator in Onondaga County, will begin a part-time role with the county’s Water Environment Protection Department on January 1, 2024. Abbott, who lost her seat in the November election, served in the county legislature from 2019 until her defeat by Democrat Greg Eriksen. Her new position as an administrative assistant involves supporting department heads and program administrators with various administrative tasks.
Abbott’s appointment comes as she transitions from her position on the legislature’s Environmental Protection Committee, where she has served since 2019 and was chair since 2022. This committee has oversight of projects and spending related to the Water Environment Protection Department, which manages Onondaga County’s wastewater treatment system. According to documentation submitted to the county’s Comptroller’s Office, she will earn $31.20 per hour.
To maintain her county health benefits, Abbott must work a minimum of 20 hours per week, as explained by county Comptroller Marty Masterpole. He noted that Abbott’s role includes a range of responsibilities critical to the department’s operations and efficiency.
Abbott was appointed to the county legislature’s 6th district in 2019 to fill a vacancy and subsequently won election three times before her recent defeat. The 6th district encompasses areas including all of Skaneateles, Marcellus, and Spafford, along with parts of Camillus. Her loss in November was a significant shift, as it allowed Democrats to reclaim the majority in the legislature for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Among the four Republican legislators who lost their seats to Democrats in the November election, Abbott is the only one who has secured a county job. The others have not been appointed to any county positions, according to Masterpole.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Abbott has a background in journalism, having started her career with WSYR and co-hosting the talk show “Bridge Street.” As she embarks on this new chapter with the Water Environment Protection Department, Abbott’s experience in public service and media is expected to contribute to her effectiveness in this role.
No comments have been received from Abbott regarding her new position as of now.
