VoterLens
New York State Senate District 48
Data last updated 10/21/2026
Richard McCarron Jr., also known as Rich McCarron, is the Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 48 in 2026 and currently serves as the Onondaga County Legislature District 11 member. He served more than 20 years with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, including as a patrol deputy, major crimes detective, patrol sergeant, and supervisor, before retiring in 2011 and becoming a real estate agent and associate broker. He was appointed to the Onondaga County Legislature in March 2023 and won re-election in 2023 and 2025.
Committee Assignments: Public Safety Committee · County Facilities Committee
His available healthcare-related record is from the Onondaga County Legislature, where he supported county Health Department actions involving vaccinations, community health workers, substance-use initiatives, and tick-borne illness education.
Specific Actions & Proposals
As vice chair of the Health & Human Services Committee, McCarron said he was proud to move forward a proposal allowing the Onondaga County Health Department to bill insurance when applicable for required child vaccinations while preserving access for uninsured or underinsured children.
SourceMcCarron said he was proud to support a CNY Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance funding request for community awareness and education on tick-borne illnesses.
SourceRichard McCarron frames Economy & Jobs around lowering taxes, restraining state and county spending, reducing energy costs, promoting economic development, and supporting housing affordability. As a sitting Onondaga County legislator and 2026 Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 48, he cites local tax-cutting votes and says he would back a state "Taxpayer Rescue Plan" while supporting projects such as Micron and farm/food-security investments.
Specific Actions & Proposals
McCarron says that if elected senator he will vote for a plan eliminating state personal income tax on the first $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married joint filers.
SourceMcCarron says he supported and voted for increased funding for closing-cost and down-payment assistance programs to lower barriers to first-time homeownership.
SourceMcCarron spoke in favor of a $100,000 amendment for farm and food security, describing it as an investment in relationships between farmers, food banks, and local vendors and an opportunity to assist smaller producers.
SourceMcCarron said he has confidence Micron will be transformational for Central New York, bringing high-paying tech jobs and helping attract or retain people in Upstate New York.
SourceRichard McCarron Jr., the Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 48, does not appear to have a detailed immigration platform published; available issue-specific statements come from his role as an Onondaga County legislator. On immigration-related questions, he has emphasized support for law enforcement at all levels and expressed skepticism toward a county resolution framed around restricting ICE presence at polling sites.
Specific Actions & Proposals
McCarron criticized a proposed Onondaga County resolution addressing ICE and other federal immigration officials at polling places, saying it furthered a false narrative that voters feared going to the polls because of immigration enforcement presence, while indicating he might support narrower know-your-rights signage.
SourceAsked whether he would support Onondaga County Sheriff cooperation with ICE if federal funding were conditioned on it, McCarron avoided the hypothetical but said federal law enforcement enforces federal laws, local law enforcement enforces local laws, and that officials should support and protect law enforcement at all levels.
SourceRichard McCarron's Climate & Energy positioning emphasizes consumer and local choice over state mandates: he opposes state rules telling residents how to heat homes or cook food, opposes electric-vehicle mandates, and says school districts should decide whether electric buses fit their needs. As a county legislator, he also expressed support for oversight mechanisms tied to Micron-related infrastructure funding while saying he has confidence in the project.
Specific Actions & Proposals
McCarron's campaign says residents should be able to decide how to heat their homes and criticizes New York State for telling people how to heat their homes.
SourceMcCarron's campaign criticizes electric bus legislation as increasing costs for school districts and taxpayers, and says local school districts should decide what buses fit their needs.
SourceThe Ballot Brief, citing McCarron's campaign site, lists a top priority as opposing state mandates on home heating methods and supporting preservation of local zoning authority.
SourceIn a 2025 candidate Q&A, McCarron said Onondaga County's method of releasing sewer-project funding allows oversight of Micron as it ramps up, while expressing confidence in the project.
SourceAvailable education-related records show county-level actions and stated support for school safety, student civic engagement, and Onondaga Community College workforce programs.
Specific Actions & Proposals
McCarron said Onondaga County had passed a local law allowing stop-arm cameras on school buses in participating districts and stated that traffic-safety fine revenue should be reinvested in traffic safety.
SourceMcCarron said Onondaga County investments in OCC's Micron-related Electromechanical Technology degree program were having an impact and promised to continue supporting the institution.
SourceMcCarron visited Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School third graders to discuss the role of a county legislator and community service.
SourceRichard McCarron frames public safety as a top priority rooted in his 20 years as an Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy, arguing that New York’s criminal-justice reforms favor offenders over victims and law-abiding residents. His stated public-safety agenda centers on repealing or changing cashless bail, the HALT Act, Clean Slate, and other reforms, while generally supporting law enforcement at all levels.
Specific Actions & Proposals
McCarron says cashless bail creates "revolving door justice" and states that, if elected, he will advocate for its immediate repeal.
SourceMcCarron’s Senate campaign launch coverage reported that he opposes bail reform, the HALT Act, and the Raise the Age Act and intends to repeal or amend them if elected.
SourceMcCarron’s county Republican profile says he believes failed bail reform has held law enforcement hostage and that police need to be able to do their jobs to keep streets safe.
SourceIn a 2025 candidate Q&A, McCarron said law enforcement’s role is to protect the community and enforce laws, and that law enforcement at all levels should be supported and protected.
SourceAs an Onondaga County legislator, McCarron said he might support a polling-site ICE resolution if it only asked election commissioners to post know-your-rights signage, while objecting to broader claims of voter fear or intimidation.
SourceBallotReady
https://www.ballotready.org/people/richard-mccarron-jrFetched: biography, education, current office, candidacy
Onondaga County Legislature
https://onondaga.gov/legislature/about-us/members/11th-district-member/Fetched: biography, location, committees
New York State Board of Elections
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/05/accessible-june-23-2026-primary-certification-amended-4.30.26-.pdfFetched: candidacy
New York State Board of Elections - 2026 Primary Certification
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/05/accessible-june-23-2026-primary-certification-amended-4.30.26-.pdfFetched: votingRecord, campaignFinance
Onondaga County Legislature - 11th District Member
https://onondaga.gov/legislature/about-us/members/11th-district-member/Fetched: votingRecord
BallotReady - Richard McCarron Jr.
https://www.ballotready.org/people/richard-mccarron-jrFetched: votingRecord
Transparency USA - Richard Mccarron New York Candidate
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/candidate/richard-mccarronFetched: campaignFinance
Transparency USA - New York State Senate District 48 Election
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/race/new-york-state-senate-district-48-74488Fetched: campaignFinance
ABC Empire State Chapter
https://www.abcnys.org/abc-empire-state-chapter-announces-2026-legislative-endorsements/Fetched: endorsements
FingerLakes1.com
https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/02/09/rich-mccarron-adds-two-endorsements-in-48th-senate-race/Fetched: endorsements
New York State Board of Elections
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/04/accessible-june-23-2026-primary-certification-amended-4.30.26-.pdfFetched: identity confirmation
VOTE411 Voter Guide
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=26977320Fetched: issuePositions
Onondaga County RLCC
https://www.onondagarlcc.com/news/june-committee-and-july-session-updateFetched: issuePositions
NY1 / Spectrum News
https://ny1.com/nyc/queens/news/2026/04/07/onondaga-county-legislature-passes-sales-tax-cap-on-gas-at--4Fetched: issuePositions
WRVO Public Media
https://www.wrvo.org/2026-10-07/onondaga-county-legislature-approves-2027-budgetFetched: issuePositions
Central Current
https://centralcurrent.org/2025-election-qa-onondaga-county-legislature-11th-district-candidate-rich-mccarron/Fetched: issuePositions
Central Current
https://centralcurrent.org/onondaga-county-legislature-to-consider-resolution-about-keeping-ice-away-from-election-polling-sites/Fetched: issuePositions
Town of Onondaga Our Town Spring/Summer 2025 newsletter
https://www.townofonondaga.gov/media/Newsletter/Our%20Town%20Spring-Summer%202025online.pdfFetched: issuePositions
Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School
https://www.sascs.org/about-us/events/onondaga-county-legislator-visits-sas-esFetched: issuePositions
New York State Board of Elections Primary Certification
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/05/accessible-june-23-2026-primary-certification-amended-4.30.26-.pdfFetched: issuePositions
McCarron for Senate campaign issues page
https://mccarronforsenate.com/issues-expandedFetched: issuePositions
570 WSYR / iHeartRadio
https://wsyr.iheart.com/content/2026-01-06-rich-mccarron-announces-ny-state-senate-bid/Fetched: issuePositions
Onondaga County Republican Legislative Campaign Committee
https://www.onondagarlcc.com/richard-mccarron-district-11Fetched: issuePositions