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As the city of Syracuse prepares to vote for its next mayor, voters will also see several races for other public office seats on their ballots on Nov. 4.

With election day less than a week away, The Daily Orange has compiled candidates running on both unopposed and contested ballots.

Board of Education

There are three openings for commissioners on the Syracuse City School District Board of Education. The board has seven commissioners in total, each serving four-year terms.

Democratic candidates Twiggy Billue, Karen Cordano and Nyatwa Bullock are all seeking re-election. However, only incumbents Billue and Cordano won the Democratic primary in June, along with candidate Michael Root.

Bullock is running a write-in campaign after losing the primary. Jason Petrone is the only candidate running as a Republican.

Karen Cordano

Cordano, the incumbent, said the scope of responsibilities as a board member is “very narrow” in an interview with Syracuse 17th Ward Democrats. She said the three primary obligations are hiring and evaluating the superintendent, setting policy and passing the budget as well as serving as a semi-judicial body during student discipline appeals.

Cordano said board members are not involved in day-to-day operations for schools.

As a parent of children in the school district, she’s seen the academic and social-emotional divide grow along racial and poverty lines. She said schools need help from the federal, state, county and city governments to address the “crippling” trauma and poverty that students face.

“I want to continue to shine a light on these issues, to help to create an environment where all kids can thrive,” Cordano said during the Sept. 7 interview. “They are magnificent and deserving, and we have failed them as a society for longer than public education has existed.”

Twiggy Billue

Billue, a community advocate for over 20 years, is running to continue “strengthening” Syracuse schools and “empowering” students, according to her website. Her mission is to increase school performance and attendance, diversify school funding, enhance safety, grow partnerships between the community and support teachers and students.

She said her re-election will help the community to keep moving forward, “ensuring” Syracuse schools will remain a place for all students to thrive.

Billue and Cordano have also secured the Working Families Party ballot lines.

Michael Root

Root, the other Democratic nominee, is a retired high school teacher who taught social studies and served as the union president of the Westhill Teachers Association for almost 30 years.

In another interview with Syracuse 17th Ward Democrats, Root said he plans to bring his “varied” expertise at different Syracuse schools to the board. He emphasized bringing creative services for all children to excel, highlighting Syracuse’s high poverty rate and the number of different languages spoken.

“Our job is to make sure that we’re doing the best for these kids,” Root said.

Nyatwa Bullock

Bullock, seeking reelection through a write-in campaign, urged voters to “skip the bubbles” on her social media page. She asked her followers to write in her name instead and “show up” for leaders who fight and speak for every student.

Bullock said her vision has always been about collaboration, with a goal of bringing community voices together to improve schools and create “stronger opportunities” for kids. In an Instagram post, she said working together can create “real change” for the Syracuse community.

Bullock received an endorsement from Onondaga County Legislator Nodesia Hernandez on Oct. 21.

“This campaign isn’t just about me,” Bullock said. “It’s about all of us working together for equity, opportunity and a brighter future in Syracuse.”

Jason Petrone

Jason Petrone is running as the Republican candidate. He served as an administrative analyst for Onondaga County since 2016 and is the owner and founder of the travel agency upstatenycanals.com.

Syracuse Common Council

Several races will be on the ballot for Common Council including two seats for Councilor-at-Large, five for district councilors and one spot for Common Council president. All seats are uncontested.

Rita Paniagua

Rita Paniagua is running uncontested for president of the Syracuse Common Council, both as a Democrat and part of the Working Families Party.

Her website describes her as a “passionate and dedicated politician” serving the Syracuse community for more than two decades. Economic development, arts and culture, community wellness and mental health and education and job training are all listed as key issues for her campaign.

Paniagua is the former executive director of the Spanish Action League of Onondaga County. She has also worked in the central New York region through the New York State Puerto Rico/Hispanic Taskforce and currently serves as a Councilor at-Large.

Paniagua previously served as a commissioner of education for the SCSD and is currently the co-chair of Education and Community Outreach.

Hanah Ehrenreich

In June, Hanah Ehrenreich and Rasheada Caldwell won the Democratic primary for Councilor-at-Large and are running uncontested.

Ehrenreich says she is an advocate for Say Yes to Education, Black Lives Matter and has been a member of the Human Rights Campaign for 20 years, according to her website.

Also part of the Working Families Party, she lists sustainability and a safe and livable city as her key issues, citing a vision of walkable streets and “thriving children” in “well-funded” school districts.

Rasheada Caldwell

Rasheada Caldwell is also running for re-election and currently serves on several Common Council committees, including her role as chairperson for the Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs Committee.

Caldwell is the Director of Youth & Community Partnerships for the Allyn Family Foundation, a charity organization focused on supporting children in central New York. Its website says she has a “wealth of knowledge” and “experience” in developing plans for the community’s youth.

All candidates running for district councilor seats are also uncontested.

Marty Nave

First district councilor Democratic candidate Marty Nave is seeking re-election to his seat and is currently the chairperson for the Intergovernmental Service Consolidation. Born and raised in Syracuse, Nave is described as an “advocate” for constituents, businesses and safe neighborhoods.

Donna Moore

Donna Moore is running for the 2nd district on both Democratic and Working Families Parties lines. She said he is “committed” to making Syracuse stronger, safer and more vibrant for all residents on her website.

She lists affordable and safe housing, reliable transportation and good-paying local jobs as key issues she will focus on if elected. Moore said she’s a ​​lifelong resident of District 2 and spent over 40 years through her volunteer work at several organizations.

As a former member of the Neighborhood Association Board, a former Emergency Medical Technician and firefighter and a volunteer for a local dog rescue, Moore said she’s “dedicated” her time to the community.

Corey J. Williams

Corey J. Williams, 3rd district Democratic candidate, is an alumnus of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and received a doctorate from SUNY ESF.

Williams was inspired to run for Common Council after working in the SCSD and the “community transformation” from the I-81 viaduct project and “once-in-a-generation” Micron investment, according to his website.

Patrona Jones-Rowser

Patrona Jones-Rowser is the 4th district candidate running for re-election and currently serves as chairperson for the Neighborhood Preservation (Homeless and Housing Vulnerable) Committee.

Focus Syracuse said Jones-Rowser’s key issues are equity in housing, healthcare and safe neighborhoods and is a “strong advocate” for the Syracuse community.

Jimmy Monto

Jones-Rowser and 5th district candidate Jimmy Monto are both running as members of the Democratic and Working Families Parties. Monto said Syracuse’s greatest asset is its diversity, according to his website.

His website says many Syracuse residents don’t identify with any political party, but he believes his vision must be “shaped” by all voices.

Early voting began on Oct. 25 and will continue through Nov. 2. Both early voting dates and times, as well as general election polling places, are available online through the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

Published on October 28, 2025 at 11:59 pm
Contact Sydney: sadepiet@syr.edu