With six months left until the November elections, Assemblyman Robert Oaks urged other Republican candidates to follow suit as he withdrew from the 25th Congressional District race and gave his support to Dale Sweetland Monday morning.

Oaks and retiring U.S. Rep. James Walsh both offered their support to Sweetland at a press conference at Syracuse's Clinton Square and said the Republican party would have to unite around one candidate to defeat Democratic nominee Dan Maffei.

Maffei lost to Walsh, who has held the seat for 20 years, by one percent of the vote in 2006.

“Over the past month of competing for the Republican designation, I have seen Dale Sweetland on a nearly daily basis,” Oaks said. “I am convinced that Dale has the desire and the combination of experience as an elected official and in private business to represent our area well in Washington. Now is the time to unify around one candidate and make sure Dale wins this race. I encourage all those who supported me and others throughout the 25th Congressional District to join me in supporting Dale Sweetland for Congress.”

The district includes the northern part of Cayuga County, Onondaga County, Wayne County and parts of Monroe County.

Oaks decision came after the Onondaga County Republican Committee voted to support Sweetland as its candidate last Thursday over Oaks, David Gay and Mark-Paul Serafin.

Both Serafin and Gay rejected Oaks' request to endorse Sweetland and said they would continue to run until the end of the race.

“I believe that many voices and opinions need to be heard,” Serafin said. “ Until we hear from every voter why should we rubber stamp the other candidates when one committee decides to support a candidate.”

Gay, who has been endorsed by Texas Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul, said he could not disappoint his constituents by withdrawing from the race and said a primary election may be needed to see who the public believes would best represent them.

“Until I make an official announcement, I am still running,” Gay said. “If I were to drop out, another candidate would have to make a stand on the issues that I agree with.”

Oaks, who had strong support in the western portion of the district, announced that he would seek re-election for the state's 128th Assembly District which encompasses Cayuga , Wayne and Oswego counties.

“I liked Bob Oaks a lot,” Gay said. “I was really surprised he pulled out. He is a great Republican and it's wonderful he will run for re-election in the assembly.”

Oaks, who announced his candidacy last month, said he believed he led a successful campaign even though he did not win the party's nomination

“I entered this race with four goals in mind,” Oaks said. “Expand other options of Republican choices and make the eventual Republican candidate stronger and better prepared for the general election campaign. Carry out a strong, respectful campaign. Raise a significant amount of money in a short period of time to demonstrate the seriousness of my candidacy and to provide the foundation for a successful campaign and of course gain the Republican Party designation. I believe I was successfully able to accomplish the first three objectives.”

Walsh said he believed the district would be in good hands if Sweetland got the nomination and won the election in November against Maffei and Christina Rosetti, a third-party representative.

“I am humbled by and deeply appreciative of the endorsements of Congressman Walsh and Assemblyman Oaks,” Sweetland said. “I would like to thank Assemblyman Oaks for the way he handled the run up to the nomination. He is an outstanding assemblyman, a great representative for Wayne County and I look forward to working with him in much more years to come.”

Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net