Nearly Three Decades as an Educator
Before entering public service, John Mannion was a familiar face in the West Genesee School District, where he taught high school science for nearly 30 years. Specializing in Advanced Placement Biology and Chemistry, his career was rooted in the community he would later represent. A lifelong Central New Yorker raised on Syracuse's Tipperary Hill, Mannion is the grandson of Irish immigrants. His deep ties to education also extended to advocacy. For eight years, he served as the president of the West Genesee Teachers’ Association, representing roughly 400 educators in contract negotiations and acting as a strong voice for teachers and students. This experience on the front lines of public education and union leadership laid the groundwork for his future
political platform.
The Leap into Politics
Mannion’s transition from teaching to politics was driven by a desire to have a broader impact. His first major campaign was in 2018 for the New York State Senate in the 50th district, a race he narrowly lost. Undeterred, he ran again in 2020 and won, flipping a seat that had been held by Republicans for over 50 years. His time in the State Senate was marked by a focus on issues close to his background. He became the founding chairman of the Senate Committee on Disabilities, where he championed legislation to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and secured cost-of-living increases for their support professionals. His re-election in 2022 was extraordinarily close, ultimately decided by a recount that declared him the winner by just 10 votes, highlighting the competitive nature of his district.
From State Senator to Congressman
In 2023, Mannion announced he would not seek re-election to the state senate, instead setting his sights on a bigger prize: a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He entered the 2024 race for New York's 22nd Congressional District, a key battleground. After winning the Democratic primary, he faced incumbent Republican Brandon Williams in the general election. On November 5, 2024, Mannion defeated Williams, securing a significant victory for Democrats as one of the party's first successful flips of the election cycle. He officially assumed office on January 3, 2025, to represent a district covering Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, including cities like Syracuse and Utica.
Priorities and Record in Washington
In Congress, Representative Mannion serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Agriculture. His legislative work reflects his career roots and campaign promises, focusing on strengthening public education, supporting family farms, lowering costs for families, and growing domestic manufacturing. He has been a vocal proponent for bringing federal resources to his district, particularly in preparation for Micron's major semiconductor investment in Clay, New York—a project he helped facilitate with the 'Green CHIPS' legislation he co-sponsored as a state senator. His initial legislative efforts in the House have included the "Protecting Students with Disabilities Act" and the "Science of Reading Act," both of which align with his long-standing commitment to education. As of September 2026, he is running for re-election to continue his work in the House.
