Auburn residents living in District 15 could have a new representative in the Cayuga County Legislature by the end of the month. According to county officials, the Cayuga County Republican Committee will recommend a candidate as early as the next Legislature meeting.

The seat became vacant last month when longtime representative Steven Netti passed away. Netti, a Republican who started his latest term in 2006, had served as the district's legislator for more than 12 years.

The appointed representative will serve through the end of the year. The person would have to run in November's election to retain the seat through the end of the four-year term. If no appointment is made, the seat remains vacant until after the election.

The district's members of the Republican Committee would normally make the recommendation for the seat, but Netti essentially made up the district committee, according to Cayuga County Republican Chairwoman Cherl Heary.

Once the committee recommends the candidate, the Legislature - which has a 11-3 Republican majority with the vacant seat - will vote on whether or not to make the appointment.

Committee members have interviewed two people from the district and will likely interview one more, Heary said Monday. She did not divulge the names of the candidates.

Heary said the committee hopes to have a name by the Legislature's March 25 meeting, though they do not want to rush the recommendations.

“I don't think there is a huge hurry ... but I'm sure the people in that district would like to see someone in that seat,” she said.

The new legislator will fill a seat that was essentially vacant for more than a year as Netti battled a brain tumor. He did return to the Legislature in December before his condition worsened.

Legislative Chairman Roger Mills said he hopes there is a name by the next meeting so the people of District 15 will be represented. If this was October or November, the Legislature would be more likely to opt against appointing someone, he said.

But the process should not be rushed, Mills added.

“I think you need to make sure to have a qualified person to fill (the seat),” Mills said.

Because of the Republican majority in the Legislature, county Democrats won't be able to do anything to stop a Republican appointment to the seat, according to Legislature Minority Leader Daniel Schuster. However, Schuster said it is important to get somebody into the seat for the rest of the year.

“Whoever it is it is, I would like the chance to sit down and talk to the person before we vote,” Schuster said.

County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Kate Lacey agreed that the district should have representation in the Legislature for the rest of the year. However, she said she would like to see someone appointed who has no intention of running in November for the sake of a “competitive” election.

“(Candidates) would be starting out on a level playing field,” Lacey said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.