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In Syracuse, five Democratic candidates are competing for their party's nomination in the upcoming mayoral race. Alfonso Davis, a community activist, became the last Democrat to file his petitions on Thursday (April 3), joining Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Common Councilors Pat Hogan and Chol Majok, and Jimmy Oliver, the Syracuse Police Department's community engagement director. Each candidate submitted the required signatures to secure a spot on the primary ballot, with Owens leading with 2,952 signatures, followed by Hogan, Majok, Oliver, and Davis.
According to Syracuse.com, Davis, who has previously run for mayor, did not seek the Onondaga County Democratic Committee endorsement this year. Hogan, the committee's endorsed candidate, submitted 1,855 signatures.
On the Republican side, Thomas Babilon is the sole candidate, having filed over 600 signatures, surpassing the 500 required due to the party's smaller enrollment in the city.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, with early voting from Saturday, June 14, to Sunday, June 22. Candidates who do not win the primary have alternative paths to the general election. Owens has secured the Working Families Party line, while others, including Davis, are considering independent lines.
As reported by Syracuse.com, challenges to petition signatures can be filed within 14 days of submission. The general election in November will determine who succeeds Mayor Ben Walsh, who is leaving office due to term limits.