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Elections 2025

Election Day Updates: Owens wins, Democrats flip Onondaga County Legislature

Election Day Updates: Owens wins, Democrats flip Onondaga County Legislature

Democratic candidates in Onondaga County won a host of key seats on a historic Election Day. Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor

By Daily Orange News Staff

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Thank you for following The Daily Orange’s live updates on the 2025 Syracuse Election. We will no longer be updating this page, instead uploading individual stories when fit.

Democratic candidates in Onondaga County won a host of key seats on a historic Election Day. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens declared victory in the mayoral race just after 11 p.m. With 73.5% of the votes, she will become the city’s first Black mayor, and just the second woman to win the seat.

Onondaga County Democrats’ victories mirrored trends across New York state and nationwide. The party flipped the previously Republican Onondaga County Legislature for the first time in nearly 50 years, and elected new members to the Common Council and Board of Education.

1:28 a.m.

Griffin Uribe Brown — Social Media Editor

Tim Rudd had a quiet election. Rather than host or attend an election party, he spent the evening watching the results with his family. He sits at 3.31% of the vote.

“I’m going to keep doing what I have been doing,” Rudd said. “Taking care of my family and cultivating a healthy community on my block of the Southside.”

Asked about what the result means for the city of Syracuse, Rudd, a critic of Sharon Owens and Ben Walsh, replied, “I have concerns. We shall see what happens.”

12:20 a.m.

Julia Boehning — Enterprise Editor

Voters approved Onondaga County’s Proposition 1, which placed term limits on the legislature and increased a single term to four years, syracuse.com projected Tuesday on unofficial county Board of Elections data.

The term length will be raised from two to four years in the next election legislature candidates are on the ballot. The proposition also includes establishing a three consecutive term, 12-year limit.

12:07 a.m.

Julia Boehning — Enterprise Editor

Thomas Babilon, the Republican challenger to Sharon Owens, thanked his supporters in a 11:48 p.m. Facebook post after Owens was named the projected winner of the Syracuse mayoral race.

“We did not get the Republican turnout that we needed to win. I appreciate you all. Tomorrow is a new day,” Babilon wrote.

Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

11:50 p.m.

Kendall Luther — Editor-in-Chief

The New York Working Families Party wrote in a Tuesday evening statement that it “looks forward” to partnering with Mayor-elect Owens to “build a thriving Syracuse.” The party backed Owens in February.

“Tonight’s victory belongs to the people of Syracuse who chose Sharon Owens’s vision for a city that prioritizes working families. Sharon has proven herself as a tireless advocate for Syracuse residents throughout her time in public service,” co-directors Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper wrote.

11:40 p.m.

Julia Boehning and Griffin Uribe Brown — The Daily Orange

Democrats are projected to take over the Onondaga County Legislature, syracuse.com reported at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

This will mark the first time in almost 50 years the party has held a majority in the legislature.

Democrats are projected to win at least nine of the 17-person legislature — filling a majority of the seats, syracuse.com reported. One more Democrat also currently has a lead.

A Syracuse University writing instructor, Jeremiah Thompson, was one of tonight’s Democratic victors. He flipped the 4th district seat, defeating the three-term incumbent Colleen A. Gunnip, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

11:37 p.m.

Daily Orange News Staff

Democrats Twiggy Billue, Karen J. Cordano and Michael E. Root are the winners of the three open seats for commissioners on the Syracuse City School District Board of Education, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

Billue, an incumbent, won on a platform of increasing school performance and attendance, diversifying school funding and enhancing safety, according to her website.

Cordano, also an incumbent, ran on the belief that schools need to receive help from the federal, state, county and city governments to address the “crippling” trauma and poverty that students face, she said in a Sept. 7 interview with Syracuse 17th Ward Democrats.

Root, the other Democratic winner, is a retired Westhill High School social studies teacher. Root emphasized bringing creative services for all children to excel, highlighting Syracuse’s high poverty rate and diversity.

11:30 p.m. — Destiny USA

Kate Jackson — Asst. Copy Editor

Before ending his watch party, Alfonso Davis gave a speech to attendees. He said he would support Sharon Owens as mayor, though he was “surprised by the numbers.”

“I want her to be successful because I want my city to be successful,” Davis said.

Kate Jackson | Asst. Copy Editor

11:29 p.m.

Julia Boehning — Enterprise Editor

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul congratulated Sharon Owens, the projected winner of the Syracuse mayoral race, in an 11:23 p.m. X post.

The post also congratulated Zohran Mamdani for his win in New York City, Dorcey Applyrs for her win in Albany and Sean Ryan for his win in Buffalo.

11:20 p.m.

Delia Rangel and Samantha Olander – The Daily Orange

“Democratic Party it’s time to get to work to make some real change in our community,” projected Syracuse mayor Sharon Owens said in her victory speech.

Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor

In her winning speech, Owens reflected on her campaign, saying her team was “disciplined” and worked the phones every morning without rest.

“Running for office is no cakewalk, I learned that the hard way,” she said.

10:40 p.m.

Samantha Olander — Enterprise Editor

With 16.67% of Election Day votes reported, Sharon Owens continues to lead in the Syracuse mayoral race. Owens currently holds 72.9% of the vote, while Republican Thomas Babilon has 18.4%.

10:30 p.m. — Strada Mia

Chloe Fox Rinka — Asst. News Editor

Candidate Thomas Babilon says he feels “optimistic” as poll results continue to come in. He said he’s thankful for his volunteers for the past nine months of his campaign.

Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

10:15 p.m. — Palladian Hall at the Treasury

Brenne Sheehan — Asst. News Editor

Several Syracuse University students and alumni are showing their support for Owens’ at her watch party.

Kenneth Lanterman, SU’s Student Government Association’s vice president of community and government affairs attended the watch party as Owens’ former volunteer director during the primaries.

“I believe in this campaign. I believed in it this entire year,” Lanterman said. “It’s super surreal, because I think students on campus see we’re gonna have our first Black mayor and our second woman mayor.”

Tyler Toledo, a recent graduate of SU and president of the College Democrats of New York, is also in attendance.

“Sharon Owens truly has her entire heart towards the students, towards the community, towards just everybody,” Toledo said. “Being here on election night and seeing that all of that work come to fruition is incredible.”

10:10 p.m.

Daily Orange News Staff

All uncontested Common Council races have been called, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

  • Democrat and Working Families Party candidate Rita Paniagua is the winner of the uncontested race to become President of the Syracuse Common Council, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.
  • Democrats Hanah Ehrenreich and Rasheada Caldwell won the uncontested race for the two at-large Common Council seats, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.
  • Democrat Marty Nave is the winner of the uncontested race for the Common Council’s 1st district seat, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.
  • Democrat Donna Moore is the winner of the uncontested race for the Common Council’s 2nd district seat, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.
  • Democrat Corey J. Williams is the winner of the uncontested race for the Common Council’s 3rd district seat, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.
  • Democrat Patrona Jones-Rowser is the winner of the uncontested race for the Common Council’s 4th district seat, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.
  • Democrat and Working Family candidate Jimmy Monto is the winner of the uncontested race for the Common Council’s 5th district seat, according to unofficial results from the Onondaga County BOE.

10 p.m. — Destiny USA

Kate Jackson – Asst. Copy Editor

Alfonso Davis and Hopeton Smalling, a supporter of his campaign, sit at a table inside Bounce Party Supplies.

“I really think the city needs a new direction,” Smalling said. “You know whether now or in the future, whether he wins or loses. There’s still so much work to do.”

Kate Jackson | Asst. Copy Editor

9:37 p.m.

Julia Boehning — Enterprise Editor

The Onondaga County Board of Elections released its voter counts for the 2025 General Elections in a 9:32 p.m. X post. The total voter count was 91,449.

On Election Day, 69,992 people cast their ballots. There were 17,218 early votes cast and 4,239 votes by mail.

The estimated turnout of this year’s elections was just over 29%.

9:35 p.m.

Samantha Olander — Enterprise Editor

With over 95% of early ballots counted, Onondaga County Proposition 1, which would impose term limits on county legislators and extend terms from two to four years, is currently passing with 71.39% voting “yes” and 28.61% voting “no.”

New York State Proposal 1 — which would allow construction of Olympic sports facilities on forest preserve land in Essex County — is also ahead in early results, with 64.41% voting “yes” and 35.59% voting “no.”

9:30 p.m. — Strada Mia

Chloe Fox Rinka — Asst. News Editor

With election results rolling in, media has been asked to go downstairs at Strada Mia to let candidates process results.

9:25 p.m. — Strada Mia

Avery Magee — Asst. Photo Editor

Mayoral candidate Thomas Babilon arrived to his watch party at Strata Mia shortly after the polls closed. He made his rounds with friends, colleagues and supporters as they waited for polling results to come in.

Thomas Babilon at his watch party

Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

9:22 p.m. — Palladian Hall at the Treasury

Ike Wood — Asst. Photo Editor

Sharon Owens greets her watch party early Tuesday night at the Palladian Hall at the Treasury in downtown Syracuse.

Sharon Owens at her watch party

Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor

9:13 p.m. — Palladian Hall at the Treasury

Brenne Sheehan — Asst. News Editor

U.S. Rep. John Mannion and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh are among several politicians attending Owens’ watch party.

9:18 p.m.

Julia Boehning — Enterprise Editor

The Onondaga County Board of Elections expects Election Day voting results to start coming in around 10 p.m., it wrote in a 9:08 p.m. X post.

Voters can view election results at the BOE’s results caster.

9:15 p.m.

Samantha Olander — Enterprise Editor

Ten minutes after polls closed, the Onondaga County Board of Elections has reported early results showing Democrat Sharon Owens with 75.92% of the vote. Republican nominee Thomas Babilon trails with 16.76%. The county has counted more than 86% of early ballots so far.

9:05 p.m. — Destiny USA

Kate Jackson — Asst. Copy Editor

Just before polls closed at 9 p.m., Alfonso Davis arrived at his watch party at Destiny USA. He said he’s “feeling great” ahead of election results.

9:00 p.m. — Strada Mia

Chloe Fox Rinka — Asst. News Editor

Over 70 people are in attendance at Republican candidate Thomas Babilon’s watch party, where he just arrived. As polls just closed, they are awaiting results.

8:37 p.m. — Palladian Hall at the Treasury

Brenne Sheehan — Asst. News Editor

Sharon Owens greeted attendees at 8:25 p.m., briefly speaking to DeWitt town supervisor Max Ruckdeschel before hugging staff, friends and family.

8:30 p.m. — Destiny USA

Kate Jackson — Asst. Copy Editor

As of 8:30 p.m., Davis has not arrived at his watch party, located at Bounce Party Supplies, at Destiny USA, but will be arriving shortly from another appearance, according to event managers. His event started at 6 p.m., according to a release.

Two guests have arrived to support his campaign.

8:29 p.m. – Goldstein Student Center, Nottingham High School

Ally Goelz and Sydney DePietto – The Daily Orange

Across the city, both Syracuse residents and Syracuse University students, made their way to the polls to vote in the mayoral election. One 39-year-old Syracuse Resident, Joanne Kim, said she decided to vote for a “more shared prosperity for the city.”

“I do live in democracy and I thought that my vote still does matter regardless of the outcomes,” Kim said.

Brody Shuffler | Contributing Photographer

An SU freshman, Caitlin Forshey, just turned 18 and said voting for the first time was “crazy.” She was excited to put her “I voted” sticker on her wall. Living in Syracuse, Forshey highlighted the importance of casting her ballot today.

“I knew that I was always gonna vote for all the elections.”

8:15 p.m. — Palladian Hall at the Treasury

Brenne Sheehan — Asst. News Editor

Attendees are beginning to trickle into Democratic mayoral candidate Sharon Owens’ upbeat election watch party downtown at Palladian Hall at the Treasury. DJ Flagg is playing R&B jams as results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections queue on screen.

7:10 p.m.

Julia Boehning — Enterprise Editor

A proposition extending term lengths and imposing term limits within the Onondaga County Legislature was also on the ballot today.

Proposition One seeks to extend legislative terms from two years to four and establish a 12-year consecutive limit on how long legislators can serve. There are currently no term limits in place.

If passed, the proposal would go into effect at the next general election with legislature candidates on the ballot.

7:05 p.m.

Griffin Uribe Brown — Social Media Editor

As of 6 p.m., 59,755 Onondaga County voters have cast ballots on Election Day, the Onondaga County Board of Elections confirmed on X. The number sat at around 34,000 Election Day voters at 2 p.m.

The early vote through 6 p.m. Election Day ballot count: 76,973.

6:45 p.m.

Shivika Gupta and Leonardo Eriman — The Daily Orange

Syracuse University students gathered for Student Government Association’s “Stroll to the Polls” event at 11 a.m., encouraging students to walk to the Huntington Hall polling site to vote on Election Day.

Students outside the Huntington Hall polling site

Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor

Students gathered at Huntington Hall’s polling site to vote in Syracuse’s several races, including the run for city mayor and Common Council.

Students walk to polls on Election Day

Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor

The group walks down University Avenue asking students to join them to head to the polls. The students walked from Schine to Huntington Hall with signs and snacks getting other to join them to vote at the polls.

6:28 p.m.

Samantha Olander — Enterprise Editor

With just under three hours until polls close, voting continues across Syracuse in this year’s local elections. The mayor’s race remains the headline contest, with Democrat Sharon Owens seen as the frontrunner and aiming to become the city’s first Black mayor. Races for Common Council, the Board of Education and several county legislature seats are also on the ballot. Polls close at 9 p.m. though anyone still in line at that time will be able to vote.

4:05 p.m.

Kendall Luther — Editor-in-Chief

As of 2 p.m., 34,138 voters in Onondaga County have cast their votes on Election Day, according to an Onondaga County Board of Elections post on X. Polls remain open until 9 p.m.

1:44 p.m.

Kate Jackson — Asst. Copy Editor

Syracuse voters head to the polls Tuesday to vote in several races. Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot.

Mayor:

  • Sharon Owens (Democrat, Working Families)
  • Thomas Babilon (Republican)
  • Timothy Rudd (independent)
  • Alfonso Davis (independent)

Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor

Board of Education:

Commissioners
(Vote For 3)

  • Twiggy Billue (Democrat, Working Families)
  • Karen Cordano (Democrat, Working Families)
  • Michael Root (Democrat)
  • Jason Petrone (Republican)

Syracuse Common Council:

President

  • Rita Paniagua (Democrat, Working Families)

Councilor–at–Large
(Vote For 2)

  • Hanah Ehrenreich (Democrat, Working Families)
  • Rasheada Caldwell (Democrat)

Councilor 1st District

  • Marty Nave (Democrat)

Councilor 2nd District

  • Donna Moore (Democrat, Working Families)

Councilor 3rd District

  • Corey J. Williams (Democrat)

Councilor 4th District

  • Patrona Jones-Rowser (Democrat)

Councilor 5th District

  • Jimmy Monto (Democrat, Working Families)

1:15 p.m.

Delia Rangel – News Editor

Onondaga County residents broke their early voting records Sunday, with over 17,000 ballots cast, syracuse.com reported.

The number is a 41% increase from 2023’s local election, with Democrats leading the turnout. On Sunday alone, over 2,000 ballots were cast, breaking the record for the highest single-day turnout since it was set in 2019.

Nearly 66% of early voters in the city of Syracuse were Democrats, syracuse.com reported. 17% were independents and only 15% were Republicans.

County-wide, over 10,000 Democrats voted early, with only 5,534 Republicans and 4,301 independents.

Early voting closed Sunday. Polls are open Tuesday until 9 p.m.

11:40 a.m.

Delia Rangel – News Editor

Democrat Sharon Owens, Republican Thomas Babilon and independents Tim Rudd and Alfonso Davis are all vying to lead the city as mayor. If elected, Owens or Davis would be Syracuse’s first Black mayor.

More stories on Syracuse’s 2025 Mayoral Race:

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Published on November 4, 2025 at 12:24 pm
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