WASHINGTON -- Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner won't have much time after leaving office Sunday to decide whether she wants to run for Congress.

That's because local Democratic Party leaders plan to designate a candidate to challenge Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, by the end of February, with the goal of avoiding a potential primary in June.

Onondaga County Democratic Committee Chairman Mark English said Wednesday the party has set a deadline of Feb. 1 for candidates to declare for Katko's 24th Congressional District seat.

The date has taken on added importance since Miner has not said when she will decide - leaving national Democrats to search for a top-tier candidate who would step into the race if Miner declines to run.

Two Democrats who are new to politics have already announced their bid for the seat -- Anne Messenger, of Manlius, and Dana Balter, of Syracuse.

English has said the party would like to avoid a divisive primary battle and concentrate resources on beating Katko, a two-term incumbent.

Miner's decision is complicated by the fact that she's simultaneously considering whether to launch a Democratic primary bid against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The filing deadlines in the governor's race come after those for federal office.

Here's a look at the key deadlines that Miner and the other congressional candidates face in 2018:

Feb. 1: Deadline for candidates for Congress to declare with the Onondaga County Democratic Committee. The committee is the largest in the four-county district and has the most influence in designating a candidate.

Feb. 3: Tentative date for congressional candidates to meet in a forum with Democratic Committee members.

Feb. 24: Onondaga County Democratic Committee meets to designate a candidate for the 24th Congressional District seat.

March 6: The first day candidates can circulate designating petitions in New York for federal office.

April 9 to April 12: The dates when designating petitions must be filed in New York for federal office.

June 26: New York holds its federal primary election.

Nov. 6: General election for local, state and federal offices in 2018.

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