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With the start of the new year, the city of Syracuse is anticipating its upcoming mayoral race. The election has drawn interest from several candidates since as early as July 2023, as incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh has reached his two-term limit.

Since late August, four candidates, including current Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens and Syracuse Common Councilors Pat Hogan and Chol Majok, have announced their intentions to run.

All of the candidates thus far are Democrats, leaving space on the other side of the ballot for Republicans to try to regain the highest office in the city. The GOP has not controlled the seat since Thomas Ganley Young finished his second term in 1993.

Of Syracuse’s registered voters, 55% are Democrats and 12.6% are Republicans. The rest are either independent or belong to a minor party.

Owens, the current deputy mayor of Syracuse, announced her bid for mayor on Sept. 30. Outside of serving alongside Walsh, she has over 30 years of experience working with various organizations across the city, such as Home HeadQuarters and Jubilee Homes of Syracuse.

Oliver, Syracuse Police Department’s community engagement director, filed his candidacy on Sept. 19. He’s the first to hold the position, which Walsh created to build relationships and trust between the SPD and the city’s residents. Oliver also launched and currently runs the Syracuse Police Athletic League for local youth.

Majok, a councilor-at-large, announced his candidacy on Dec. 8. He was the first refugee elected to public office in Syracuse and previously served as the director of workforce development at Loretto Health & Rehabilitation. His campaign has focused on streamlining the city’s growth by making Syracuse a “green-jobs-focused city” and adding skills to the workforce before the arrival of Micron Technology.

Hogan, councilor for the city’s 2nd district, registered to run in the race on Oct. 23. He has worked in Syracuse city government for around 50 years, including in the Parks and Recreation Department and the Base Intervention Team. He previously ran for the position but lost to former mayor Stephanie Miner in 2013.

The general election will be held on Nov. 4 and primaries will take place in late June.

Along with the mayoral election, a special election will be held for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat in New York’s 21st district. Stefanik was appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations, with her confirmation expected on Jan. 16.

While no official candidates have been announced, dairy farmer and Democrat Blake Gendebien formally announced his intention to run, assuming Stefanik is confirmed and her seat is vacated. Other potential Democratic candidates include Army Lt. Col. Steven Holden, and Stefanik’s opponent last November, Paula Collins.

Republican candidates for the seat include Anthony Constantino and Otto Miller. Miller said he would consider a third-party campaign if he does not receive the Republican nomination, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Endorsement decisions and party interviews will continue throughout this month and February, giving candidates around a month to gather enough petition signatures to be on the ballot.

Published on January 13, 2025 at 11:16 pm

Contact Shivika: sgupta38@syr.edu