By Ariel Servadio

Utica Mayor Tim Julian has vehemently denied that he is interested in becoming the next Oneida County Executive.

Julian has stated that he wants current County Executive, Joe Griffo, to stay in office.

"I want Joe Griffo to solve the problems he started in the County Executive seat ," said Julian. "I want him to stay there to do it, he is the best guy for it."

One of the problems Julian noted was the high county sales tax. At 9.5%, it's the highest in New York State.

Griffo countered, saying that he believes this is a way for Julian to deflect failures off his own administration.

Both Julian and Griffo are Republicans running for State Senate.