Alfonso Davis Joins Syracuse Mayoral Race as Independent

In a new development in the Syracuse mayoral race, Alfonso Davis has been approved to run as an independent candidate. The Onondaga County Board of Elections ruled that Davis, a longtime community activist, can appear on the ballot after validating 1,555 of the 1,849 signatures he submitted, surpassing the required 1,443 signatures. Davis had previously failed to secure a spot in the Democratic primary, which was won by Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens with 62% of the vote, defeating Common Councilors Pat Hogan and Chol Majok. Owens, who has served as Deputy Mayor under Ben Walsh, will now face Davis, Republican Tom Babilon, and another independent, Tim Rudd, in the general election. Owens is endorsed by Walsh and aims to become the first Black mayor of Syracuse if elected. The race is expected to be competitive, with Davis bringing his experience as a businessman and frequent mayoral candidate to the contest. The general election will determine the successor to Walsh, who is term-limited and cannot run again.