In Sharon Owens' statement, she suggests that the Syracuse Democratic Party is confronting a critical phase or crisis
In the upcoming general election, Sharon Owens is poised to make history as the first Black mayor of Syracuse and only the second woman to lead the city. However, her path to this position is not without challenges, as she faces multiple opponents, including two independents and a Republican.
Owens, the designee for the Democratic line and the Working Families Party, won the Democratic primary for mayor with over 60% of the vote. Yet, the Syracuse Democratic Party endorsed one of her primary opponents, Pat Hogan, despite this resounding victory. This decision marks the third consecutive election cycle where the local party has backed a candidate who ultimately lost the primary.
The party's choice likely reflects internal divisions or differing strategic preferences within the local Democratic establishment. Owens, who ran for mayor as a Democrat despite working for independent Mayor Ben Walsh, has previously beaten Democratic candidates in the last two mayoral elections.
Despite this lack of party backing, Owens remains confident and is focusing on building broader coalitions to secure victory in the general election. She emphasizes the need for unity not only locally but also among upstate cities facing similar challenges, advocating for coordinated messaging and policies to address issues like poverty.
Owens is also aiming to be a catalyst to bring Democrats together in Syracuse. She has been having meetings with Democratic Party leadership and members who want to see change. She appears confident that she will succeed in the general election despite having three other candidates on the ballot.
Syracuse has had an independent as mayor for the last two terms, with Ben Walsh beating the Democratic candidates in both 2017 and 2021. Two Democrats are attempting to get on the ballot as independents for the Syracuse mayoral race.
Owens believes there is a need for a reckoning within the Syracuse Democratic Party. She is working to move past this division and encourage cooperation between the party and other stakeholders, including state leaders like Governor Kathy Hochul, to strengthen her administration and the Democratic presence in Syracuse.
[1] Source: Local News Outlet Interview with Sharon Owens, Date of Interview.
The ongoing politics surrounding the Syracuse mayoral race, with its focus on policy-and-legislation, brings general-news attention to the local democratic establishment's choice to endorse a candidate who lost the primary, despite Sharon Owens' substantial win and previous successes. Owens, despite the party's decisions, remains determined, utilizing her meetings with Democratic Party leadership and emphasis on unity to navigate the general election against other candidates, while advocating for coordinated policies to tackle common challenges in Syracuse and upstate cities.
