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After leading a campaign for nine months, describing himself as the “underdog” of the race, Republican mayoral candidate Thomas Babilon accepted defeat in the Syracuse mayoral election to Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens Tuesday night.

The Onondaga County Republican Committee held a Tuesday night watch party for Republican candidates at Strada Mia. The election marked the end of Babilon’s campaign and the Onondaga County Legislature’s Republican majority.

“I’m really proud of our candidates, the nature of the campaign, an unbelievable job, marshaling, all of the efforts from everything through the process.” Onondaga County Majority Leader Brian May said. “We have to accept loss with race and professionalism and figure out what we can do better tomorrow.”

Other candidates in attendance included Onondaga County legislature district candidates Bonnke Sekarore, Shawn Fiato and Julie Abbott, representing the ninth, eighth and sixth districts, respectively.

All three are projected to lose their elections.

Since February, Babilon has led a campaign funded by volunteers and community donations, raising just under $30,000 and receiving an endorsement from NYS Workers’ Compensation Board Director Juanita Perez.

“I think we ran a great campaign. We obviously didn’t have the resources that Sharon (Owens) had,” Babilon said. “We ran a campaign full of volunteers. That’s how we were able to get as far as we were. I feel really good about what we did with what we had.”

Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

Babilon’s campaign focused on increasing public safety, lowering taxes and reducing crime in the city while consistently speaking out against current Mayor Ben Walsh’s administration. During his ending speech, he spoke about his connection to the people of Syracuse and his plan to continue his work at his current 9-to-5 after the election.

Babilon mentioned instances of public disturbances in his neighborhood and said that throughout his campaign, Syracuse residents spoke to him about similar experiences. He said the other candidates may not see those issues.

“(Owens) probably doesn’t see the public safety issues that I see,” Babilon said. “Sharon and I obviously differ quite a bit on policy. I live in a real neighborhood. She lives in kind of an upscale neighborhood.”

Reflecting on his campaign, Babilon said he wasn’t planning on running this year after needing to care for his mother, but was approached by someone on the city committee asking if he would consider running.

“We decided to do it. I worked at the city for 10 years, and I just saw a lot of what they did wrong there, Babilon said. “I thought I was the person to do that.”

Sekarore stood alongside Babilon, awaiting results. He ran a campaign for 9th district county legislator, advocating for public safety and supporting the city’s Northside.

Although disappointed with the outcome, Sekarore said he had no regrets.

“I’m feeling positive. I left everything on the field. So I have no worries,” Sekarore said. “There’s nothing else I could have done.”

Fiato, who ran for 8th district legislator, was appointed in January by County Executive Ryan McMahon, after the past district legislator stepped down. The district’s “very democratic” presence didn’t matter to her, she said.

“My campaign was run so great,” Fiato said. “A lot of people don’t realize that just because I’m under the Republican party, that I work for everybody.”

Her campaign focused on enhancing public safety in the 8th district. During her time in this role, she focused on economic and planning development.

At 11:04 p.m., syracuse.com projected Owens to win the race. Babilon thanked his supporters in an 11:48 p.m. Facebook post. At the watch party, he said he “will not secede” to Owens until every vote is counted.

As of 1:45 a.m., Owens has 13,664 votes, with Babilon at 3,506.

“I’ve met a lot of great people, I’ve made regrets,” Babilon said. “I’ve seen what the final numbers are and, you know, I’m happy that I got my message out there.”

Published on November 5, 2025 at 3:29 am
Contact Chloe: cfrinka@syr.edu