Dave Knapp – District 12
Dave represents the 12th Legislative District which includes all of the towns of LaFayette, Tully, Fabius and Pompey, a small part of southern Manlius, the greater Jamesville area of Dewitt, and part of the outer Comstock neighborhood of the city of Syracuse.
Dave was born and raised on his multi-generational family dairy farm in LaFayette. He attended LaFayette Central Schools and graduated in 1980. During his senior year he competed for and was awarded an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation in 1984, Dave was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. After completing his military commitment, and attaining the rank of Captain, Dave and his wife, Donna, decided to return to the farm and raise their family. In addition to helping on the farm whenever possible, Dave worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years.
Following in the family tradition of community service, Dave was elected to the LaFayette Town Board in 1999 where he concentrated on constituent service and securing outside grants to save local taxpayer dollars on Town projects. He was particularly successful in securing over $200,000 in grants for improvements to Stafford Park in LaFayette.
In 2011 Dave was elected to the Onondaga County Legislature to represent the 12th District and was immediately asked to serve as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. During Dave’s leadership of that committee, the Legislature reduced taxes to the point that County property owners currently benefit from the lowest property tax rate in over 50 years. This was accomplished while also maintaining a strong fund balance and the second highest bond rating of any county in New York State. After the 2017 election, Dave was elected Majority Leader. Dave’s proudest moment as a County Legislator occurred in November of 2018 when he was unanimously selected by all his legislative peers, Republican and Democrat alike, to serve as Chairman of the County Legislature, a role he continued in until 2022. As Chairman, he worked hard to make sure all voices were heard, and everyone felt a part of the legislative process and committees.
Dave has always believed in the importance of community involvement. He’s proud to serve as a board member and treasurer for the LaFayette Apple Festival. In addition, he currently serves his community, or has in the past, in a variety of ways:
President of the local Optimist Club and Historical Society
A charter member and Past Commander of AMVETS Post 1025
An advisory board member for the Tully-LaFayette Future Farmers of America
Charter President for Boy Scout Troop 100
A member and past Elder of the Columbian Presbyterian Church
Chairman of the LaFayette Sports Hall of Fame Committee
Since 2000, Dave has also served on the 24th Congressional District Service Academy Selection Board for our last four Congressional representatives. He is currently Chairman of that committee.
At the Legislature, for the 2024-2025 term, Dave is serving as Chairperson of the Planning & Economic Development committee, Vice Chairperson of the County Facilities committee, and as a member of the Ways & Means committee.
Dave is currently a partner at the Knapp Shute Agency located in LaFayette. He has been married to his wife, Donna McCarthy Knapp for over 30 years and they have three children, Devon 26, Shannon 24, and Oliver 21.