Syracuse, N.Y. – When Joe Carni was elected to the Syracuse Common Council, he became its only Republican member and the de facto minority leader.
But Carni, the 1st District councilor, has opted not to seek re-election and is instead running for a seat on the Onondaga County Legislature. If Republicans don’t reclaim his seat on the council, Democrats could gain full control for the first time in six years.
Council president, two citywide seats and five district seats are up for election this year, but the race in the 1st District is the one most likely to decide whether the council is made up entirely of Democrats, said City Clerk John Copanas.
Republican Josh Davis and Democrat Jen Schultz are vying for that seat. Read their thoughts on the most pressing concern for residents in the 1st District and how they would address the problem.
The number of Republicans on the council has been dwindling for some time. In 1999, Joanie Mahoney, who went on to be Onondaga County Executive and now is a college president, was the last Republican to hold a citywide council post, Copanas said.
It’s been more than 25 years since Republicans held a majority on the council, he said.
Three Democratic councilors this year are running unopposed.
Voters in Syracuse tend Democratic – as of the last primary election, about 67% of all Syracuse voters were registered as Democrats. Only about 7% were registered as Republicans.
Early voting starts today. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.
All candidates for the Syracuse Common Council:
President of the Common Council:
- Woodruff Carroll (R)
- Helen Hudson (D)*
Councilor at large (two seats):
- Rasheada Caldwell (D)
- Amir Gethers (D)
- Kayla Johnson (WFP)
- Randy Potter (R)
- Norm Snyder (R)
1st District:
- Josh Davis (R)
- Jennifer Schultz (D)
2nd District:
- Patrick Hogan (D)*
- Jose Marrero (C)
3rd District: Chol Majok (D)*
4th District: Latoya Allen (D)*
5th District: Joe Driscoll (D)*
*incumbents
Got a tip, comment or story idea? Call or text Megan Craig at 315-925-7137, email her at mcraig@syracuse.com or send a direct message on Twitter @megcraig1.
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