Julie Abbott, a former member of the Onondaga County Legislature, will commence a part-time role with the county on January 1, 2024. Abbott, who lost her reelection bid in November, has accepted a position as an administrative assistant within the county’s Water Environment Protection Department, which oversees wastewater treatment operations.
According to documentation submitted to the county Comptroller’s Office, Abbott will earn $31.20 per hour in her new role. She is expected to work at least 20 hours a week, which would allow her to retain county health benefits, as explained by Marty Masterpole, the county Comptroller. The position entails a variety of administrative responsibilities, assisting department heads and program administrators.
Abbott has a history of involvement with the county’s environmental initiatives. She has served on the Legislature’s Environmental Protection Committee since 2019, taking on the role of chair in 2022. This committee is responsible for overseeing projects and expenditures related to the Water Environment Protection Department.
Abbott first entered the county legislature when Ryan McMahon, the county executive, appointed her to fill a vacancy in the 6th district in 2019. She successfully won three subsequent elections but lost her seat to Democrat Greg Eriksen in November 2023, marking a significant shift as Democrats reclaimed the majority for the first time in nearly 50 years. The district encompasses all of Skaneateles, Marcellus, and Spafford, along with parts of Camillus.
Abbott is not the only Republican legislator affected by the recent election results. She was one of four Republican legislators who were defeated by Democrats. As of now, none of the other three have been appointed to county roles, according to Masterpole.
Before her political career, Abbott was a broadcaster, having worked with WSYR as a journalist and gaining recognition on the talk show Bridge Street. She is also a graduate of Syracuse University and has since transitioned into real estate.
Abbott did not respond to requests for comment regarding her new position. Her acceptance of this role marks a continuation of her involvement in local government, albeit in a different capacity following her legislative defeat.