Member: David H. Knapp
Affiliation: Republican Caucus
PO BOX 467
LaFayette, NY 13084
(315) 558-0154 (C)
(315) 435-2070 (Leg)
DavidKnapp@onondaga.gov
DKnappmb@aol.com
BIOGRAPHY
Legislator Dave H. Knapp represents the 12th District in the Onondaga County Legislature. A lifelong LaFayette resident, Dave grew up on his family’s multigenerational dairy farm and graduated from LaFayette High School in 1980. He earned an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1984 and serving in the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of Captain.
After completing his military service, Dave and his wife Donna returned home to the farm to raise their family and where he worked more than 25 years in the healthcare field. Continuing his family’s tradition of public service, in 1999 he was elected to the LaFayette Town Board. During his 12 years on the Board Dave focused on constituent service and securing grants, which supported infrastructure projects, particularly improvements to Stafford Park.
In 2011 Dave was elected to the Onondaga County Legislature and was immediately asked to serve as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In 2018 he was unanimously selected to service as Chairman of the Legislature where he led that body until 2022. From 2024 until 2025 Dave served as Chairman of the Planning & Economic Development Committee. Currently, Dave is a member of Planning & Economic Development Committee as well as a member of the Public Safety Committee.
Dave remains active in community groups such as the LaFayette Apple Festival, LaFayette Optimist Club, LaFayette High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee, and the Congressional Service Academy Selection Board. Dave is also co-chair of the Political Leadership Institute (PLI), which is a bipartisan program assisting individuals interested in running for public offices.
Dave is currently a partner in the Knapp Shute Agency in LaFayette. He has been married to his wife, Donna, for 40 years. They have three children and one grandson.
Legislative priorities include:
- Protecting taxpayers
- Responsible budgeting
- Supporting strong economic growth across the county
- Supporting agriculture in Onondaga County
- Supporting Veterans