AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Democratic candidates spar over key issues in Syracuse mayoral debate
Elie Gelman: As the city of Syracuse gears up for the debate, key issues like affordable housing and water quality are expected to take center stage. Debate moderator Chris Baker says that these topics will help differentiate the candidates.
Chris Baker: Seeing, you know, which specific issues do people have different plans on and, and which issues show how they would govern the city differently.
Gelman: Baker says the local government is crucial in navigating the new federal changes and future economic opportunities
Baker: The next mayor is going to have to decide how do you interact with the Trump administration. At the same time, we’ve got a huge economic boom on the horizon.
Gelman: The debate will be live streamed on Syracuse.com and take place at the Newhouse School of Public Communications on April 30. Elie Gelman, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The stage is set for the Democratic primary debate in the race for Syracuse’s next mayor, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The debate promises to highlight key issues facing the city, including affordable housing and water quality.
The debate, moderated by Chris Baker, public affairs editor at Syracuse.com and the Post-Standard, aims to draw clear distinctions between the candidates’ visions for the city’s future. Baker emphasized the importance of local government in navigating federal changes and future economic opportunities, particularly with Micron’s arrival to the area.
“The next mayor is going to have to decide how do you interact with the federal administration. At the same time, we’ve got a huge economic boom on the horizon,” Baker said.
The debate will feature candidates Sharon Owens, Pat Hogan and Chol Majok, who are confirmed to be on the ballot. The event will be live streamed on Syracuse.com and held at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Baker said the debate was designed to highlight differences among the candidates.
“The whole idea is to draw distinctions between the candidates,” Baker said. “Less about finding places where they all agree and more about finding places where they disagree, what separates them from each other. So, I think the main thing is drawing out those differences and seeing which specific issues show how they would govern the city differently.”
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican candidate Thomas Babilon in this summer’s election. Early voting begins Saturday, June 14, and continues through Sunday, June 22. Election day is Tuesday, June 24.