VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse mayoral primary: Key race could make history and shape the city’s future
Chance Chamberlain: In Syracuse, the Democratic primary often decides the next mayor—long before the general election. That’s because Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans in the city. With fewer voters participating in primaries, candidates must appeal to progressive and highly engaged voters.
Grant Reeher: First of all, we have to recognize, the Democratic Party is by far and away the majority party. And the second thing that we have to think about is that there are quite a number of very progressive or left voters in that party.
Chamberlain: This year’s primary features three candidates: longtime Councilor Pat Hogan, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, and Common Councilor Chol Majok, a former refugee from South Sudan.
Both Owens and Majok are Black and many voters are aware Syracuse has never elected a Black mayor.
Reeher: The city of Syracuse is one of the two major cities in the state of New York that has not yet had a Black mayor.
Chamberlain: The race is being shaped by big issues like equity, economic development, and how Syracuse will handle major projects—such as the I-81 overhaul and the arrival of Micron.
Reeher: Whoever is the mayor is going to have to manage two really big things. So the race is, again, hard to say.
Chamberlain: The primary is expected to draw higher turnout than usual, thanks to the competitive field and rising political engagement across the city. While the outcome remains uncertain, Reeher says Syracuse voters have strong choices this year.
SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News)— With three Democrats on the ballot, Syracuse’s upcoming primary could determine the city’s next mayor as voters prepare to choose a leader at a key moment of transformation.
Democrats hold a wide voter registration advantage in Syracuse, making the winner of the June primary the likely front-runner in November’s general election. But turnout in local primaries is often low, and candidates must work to reach highly engaged and progressive voters.
“The Democratic Party is by far and away the majority party,” said Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University. “And there are quite a number of very progressive or left voters in that party.”
The candidates in the race are longtime Common Councilor Pat Hogan, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens and Councilor Chol Majok, a former refugee from South Sudan. Owens and Majok are both Black, and many voters are aware that Syracuse has never elected a Black mayor.
“The city of Syracuse is one of the two major cities in New York state that has not yet had a Black mayor,” Reeher said.
Key issues in the race include racial and economic equity, development strategy and how the city will manage major projects such as the Interstate 81 viaduct replacement and Micron’s planned $100 billion chip plant.
“Whoever is the mayor is going to have to manage two really big things,” Reeher said. “So the race is, again, hard to say.”
Early voting in Onondaga County begins Saturday and goes through June 22, primary day is June 24. The three Democratic candidates are scheduled to debate at 7 p.m. on Thursday.