SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Democratic Candidate for Mayor of Syracuse Sharon Owens picked up a major endorsement over the weekend.
Fellow Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul announced her support for Owens at nearly the last minute. She’s the highest-ranking official to endorse Owens.
Governor Hochul said her support for Owens is based on the deputy mayor’s stances on crime, affordable housing and her attention to helping young people.
“We’ve always been the backbone of our party and when we mobilize and take to the streets and do the phone banks and do all the work that’s necessary, we will ensure the continuation of strong leadership here in Syracuse and throughout Onondaga County,” said Hochul.
If elected, Owens will be he first Black mayor in the city’s history. She will also be just the second woman to serve as the city’s mayor. Stephanie Minor, also a Democrat, served as the city’s mayor between 2010 to 2018.
Hochul and Owens said that the 2026 Mid-Term Election will need to be one of the immediate focuses of Democrats following Tuesday’s election. Next year, many Congressional seats will be up for grabs. Currently, Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“Local [races] are so important,” said Owens. “From every office in the city, in this county and in this region, the vision of us who are the people and not those who are just there for themselves: It’s over.”
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Owens is up against Republican Tom Bablion and independents Alfonso Davis and Tim Rudd. She is considered the frontrunner in the race.
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The 2025 General Election is on Nov. 4.
