Long-serving Democratic Assemblymember Al Stirpe, with eight terms of experience in the Assembly, has declared his candidacy for the 50th Senate District. The current Senator, John Mannion, who assumed office in December 2020, had previously announced his intention to run for the State's 22nd Congressional District, currently represented by Republican Rep. Brandon Williams.

In the race for one of the Senate's most hotly contested seats, Assemblymember Stirpe becomes the second Democrat to enter. Earlier this year, Tom Drumm, the Democratic Minority Leader of the Oswego County Legislature, also announced his candidacy for the same seat. Nevertheless, Stirpe enjoys the support of State Democratic leaders who approached him in June, continuously expressing their interest in his candidacy. Stirpe cited their belief in his strong performance in those areas and his notable name recognition as reasons for their endorsement.