Sharon Owens endorses Kathy Hochul for NY governor reelection
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens endorsed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bid for reelection on Tuesday, the same day as Hochul's State of the State Address. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens endorsed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bid for reelection on Tuesday, publicly backing the incumbent in this year’s upcoming gubernatorial race.
“Governor Hochul understands that affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing working families, and she’s taken real action to meet that challenge – investing in housing and delivering relief that is making a difference for families here in Syracuse,” Owens said in a Tuesday release.
Owen’s endorsement of Hochul, a fellow Democrat, follows a history of collaboration under Ben Walsh’s previous administration.
As deputy mayor under Walsh, Owens worked directly with the Hochul administration to invest $271 million in two Syracuse housing projects, one of which supported building over 500 new homes for low-to-moderate-income residents.
During Owens’ mayoral campaign, Hochul announced a last-minute endorsement one day before the election last November, the highest-ranking official to endorse Owens.
Hochul also worked with the Walsh administration to make funding investments for multiple Syracuse initiatives, including providing grant funding for public safety projects such as reducing gun violence and youth diversion programs.
“Mayor Sharon Owens is a fighter who brings vision, focus, and results to the work of building a safer, more affordable Syracuse,” Hochul said in the release. “I’m proud to earn her endorsement as we build a campaign that will win up and down the ballot and across the state this November.”
In addition to her endorsement, Hochul also gave the annual 2026 State of the State address in Albany on Tuesday, addressing topics such as crime, energy costs and childcare.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who’s running against Hochul, also visited central New York Tuesday, hosting a town hall meeting in Auburn. Delgado discussed his vision for a more “just, hopeful and inclusive New York,” including increased housing affordability and immigrant community protection, according to the event page.
Along with Delgado, Hochul is running against uncontested Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman. The primary election will take place on June 23, with the general election following in November.
