WEEDSPORT - Two candidates emerged Monday as possible Republican challengers to state Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, for the Senate's District 49 seat.

Fayetteville musician Andrew Russo and Syracuse-area businesswoman Jessica Crawford both announced their interest Monday in running.

Both Russo and Crawford are Republicans and the party usually endorses candidates during the spring before the election.

Russo stopped in Weedsport early in the day and spoke to local Republican and Conservative Party officials. It was part of a day-long tour of the entire district, which runs through the northern end of Cayuga County.

During a brief talk at Burritt's Cafe, Russo called for a reduction in taxes, fees and state spending and said the state should indefinitely freeze spending increases.

He criticized state Senate Democrats for raising taxes during “a national economic recession that has everyone cutting back and doing more with less.”

Russo also said Valesky has aligned himself with downstate leadership on the budget and other issues, and claimed the senator has not looked out for upstate interests.

“At a time when New York needs real leaders finding solutions to a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis, Albany has failed us,” he said.

Russo is a professional pianist and artist in residence at Le Moyne College. He also founded a non-profit organization called Music Journeys dedicated to music education in the region.

After his talk at Burritt's, Russo said he is ready for a tough fight focused on the issues. He also said he does not believe his lack of political experience is necessarily a negative for his campaign.

“People have seen that all of this so-called experience that our legislators have has led us toward the moment that calls the value of that experience into question,” Russo said.

Crawford announced in a written statement to the press Monday that she is “exploring” a run for the Senate seat.

She also cited increasing taxes as a reason to run, saying that economic growth will come from decreased state spending and tax relief to middle-class families and small businesses.

“Albany is driving our state into the ground,” Crawford stated.

“For upstate New York to retain its most valuable asset - its people - we need jobs and an economy where individuals, families and small businesses can reach their full potential,” she later said.

Crawford is an executive with SRC and the founding chair for 40 Below, a group in Syracuse for young professionals.

Valesky won a third term on the Senate in 2008, though he has not officially declared whether he will seek another term. He was in Albany Monday attending a talk by Gov. David Paterson on the state's budget crisis, according to representatives from his office.

Valesky spokesman Cort Ruddy said the senator “remains focused” on the business of the state.

“Now is not the time for politics,” Ruddy said.

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