ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Surrounded by family, former State Fair Director Peter Cappuccilli threw his name into the race to take over the seat being vacated by Republican Representative James Walsh.
"We together announce that I am a candidate for Congress to represent all of the people equally in the 25th Congressional District," said Cappuccilli.
Cappuccilli didn't give out many details on his platform, but he did say constituent services will be a priority, not just writing bills and passing legislation.
"We're going to articulate clearly over the next few months our positions on all of the issues," Cappuccilli said.
To get the republican nomination Cappuccilli needs to win endorsements from committees in Onondaga, Cayuga, Monroe and Wayne counties.
A former State Fair Director is looking to Washington for his next job. Our Giselle Phelps was there as a second candidate entered the race for the state's 25th Congressional District seat.
"I look very much forward to the process that's involved in selecting a candidate from the party and I feel very confident," said Cappuccilli.
When it comes to competition, the only other confirmed candidate in the race is democrat Dan Maffei, who lost to Walsh in 2006 by a slim margin.
When asked about Cappuccilli's candidacy, he had this to say: "Since I've entered the race, it's never been about who I'm running against, it's about who I'm running for."
CNY Manufacturers Association President Randy Wolken has indicated he'll enter the race as a republican this week. Former State Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffman and Baldwinsville businessman Robert Andrews are also seen as potentials, along with democratic Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll.
But Cappuccilli had little to say about any current or potential challengers: "I am not here to say why people shouldn't vote for anybody."
However, Cappuccilli does say he'll support whichever candidate the Republican Party does choose.
Cappuccilli says he formally notified the Republican Party of his intention to run in writing on Sunday.