Photo: Adrienne Bresnahan / Moment / Getty Images
With just over two weeks until Election Day, the candidates in the Syracuse mayoral race will debate tonight (October 20) at the National Veterans Resource Center on Waverly Avenue. The debate, hosted by Syracuse University's CitrusTV, features Democrat Sharon Owens, Republican Tom Babilon, and independent candidates Tim Rudd and Alfonso Davis.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event will be held in a town hall-style format, allowing audience members to ask questions directly to the candidates. For those unable to attend in person, the debate will be streamed live on CitrusTV’s YouTube channel, providing wider access to the discussion.
The debate is one of four scheduled before early voting begins on October 25, offering voters multiple opportunities to hear from the candidates on key issues. Topics expected to be covered include housing, police staffing, city schools, and property tax assessments, among others, as reported by syracuse.com.
CitrusTV, a student-run television studio at Syracuse University, organized the debate to engage students and residents in the electoral process. Luke Radel, a student and debate organizer, emphasized the importance of the event in preparing the community for the upcoming election, according to LocalSYR.