ONEIDA COUNTY -- The Oneida County Republican Committee has elected a life-long resident, and the chief of the Whitesboro Fire Department to take over as party chair. The committee announced that Peter Sobel, of Whitestown, will fill in as the new GOP chairperson.

Sobel will serve a two-year term, and has chosen Mary Pratt, of New Hartford, as his vice-chairperson. Sobel said, "I am honored to be chosen to lead the Oneida County Republican Committee, and I look forward to working with our elected officials and committee members to advance interests of the Republican Party."

Sobel replaces George Mitchell, who did not seek reelection this term.