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Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, 2nd District Councilor Patrick Hogan and Councilor At-Large Chol Majok faced off in their first Democratic debate Wednesday evening. The three are running to become the next mayor of Syracuse, succeeding sitting Mayor Ben Walsh.

The primary election is less than two months away, electing a Democrat to campaign against Republican mayoral candidate Thomas Babilon for the final seat. During the debate, the candidates focused on what they believed were the city’s most significant issues, including crime rates, poverty, Interstate-81’s highway removal and Micron.

While each candidate had differing opinions, they all related to each other through what they each described as a deep “love” for the city. Hogan started the debate, hosted at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, with an opening statement.

Hogan said he aims to tackle issues unaddressed by the current administration, such as lead contamination, payroll modernization and children and family programs, particularly within the Children Rising Center. He also expressed excitement for the ongoing Interstate 81 highway and Micron projects.

In her opening, Owens focused on her roots and said she chose to live in the “great city” following her graduation from SU. She emphasized her experience as executive leadership at City Hall, which she said puts her in a position to lead the city at “this critical time.”

Majok said if he were to become Syracuse’s next mayor, he would aim to address the current “mismanagement and leadership deficiencies” that have continued to impact the city’s generational poverty. He said he would focus on addressing child poverty, homelessness and police-community relations, along with skill gaps preventing high school graduates from entering the workforce.

“It is clear Syracuse needs a system reset, a new regime with a strong executive that will have a strong political will to do things,” Majok said. “I will lead Syracuse into a future where families thrive, neighborhoods flourish and opportunities are accessible.”

Baker asked all three candidates to describe Walsh, touching on his administration’s rights and wrongs.

Owens, who works directly with Walsh as deputy mayor, said Walsh’s collaboration with the community is key, but disagreed with what she called his philosophy of giving officials “chance after chance.” She said the city needs an administration that incorporates new ideas when it comes to government leadership.

“He worked extremely well with the county executive (and) with New York State to put us on a trajectory for the growth that we’re seeing right now,” Owens said. “And this is where my good friend and boss Ben Walsh and I part ways, his ability to get along with people.”

During a discussion of the growing crime rates in Syracuse, Owens said addressing crime requires deeply rooted systemic change, starting with law enforcement. She said it’s a “community effort,” finding where crime begins and working to find solutions.

“We have our responsibility,” Owens said. “Our law enforcement officers are tracking down these young people, and we need to work with our family court system, our juvenile court system, to find solutions for these children.”

Hogan agreed, claiming Syracuse’s crime rate “sucks the life out of neighborhoods.” He said crime can only be reduced with preventative measures, including community investments in educational programming like youth outreach programs and neighborhood patrol groups.

Hogan suggested bringing back the Community Schools Program, which he said was implemented in the city in the 1970s, offering tutoring and safe after-school programs for children. Majok said the city’s current stance on crime isn’t enough, emphasizing a need for accountability efforts from government officials and the Syracuse Police Department.

In April, Walsh’s administration introduced a proposed 2% increase in property taxes and water rates in its 2026 budget, which the candidates discussed at length.

Hogan, opposing the budget change, argued the community can’t handle another tax increase and, as mayor, he would adjust the budget accordingly. As a common councilor, he said he’s received messages from constituents expressing discontent with Medicaid and Social Security increases due to the current administration.

“We’re in trouble,” Hogan said. “People can’t afford where they’re living right now. For a stable way of life, we have to think back about how we’re going to accomplish this.”

Majok echoed Hogan, who argued that “now is not the time” for an increase in a highly impoverished city. Owens said she supports the tax increase, countering that it would introduce a system reliant on equity and distribute the increase among different income levels in the community. She also urged for an increase in home re-evaluations to distribute taxes evenly among residents.

During a short-answer question segment, Baker asked each candidate if they would take down the city’s over 90-year-old Columbus Circle monument, which has sparked debate regarding its controversial portrayal of Christopher Columbus.

While Majok and Hogan said they wouldn’t take the statue down, Owens disagreed and said it would come down if she took office in January.

During a discussion of city poverty, Baker said Syracuse has the highest child poverty rate in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Owens said income isn’t the only factor, as the standard of a household defines poverty.

She emphasized the need for new training and apprenticeship programs, preparing the city’s students for real-world jobs.

Majok described the poverty rate as “heartbreaking,” adding that Syracuse residents going into adulthood unprepared is one of the main topics that keep him, along with Hogan and Owens, motivated to create citywide change.

“That worries you, that prevents you from going to sleep,” Majok said. “Because, you know, that’s the reality you’re dealing with.”

While the city’s average high-school graduation rate is 72%, Majok said the percentage of students who can get “real jobs” is closer to 30-40%, citing a lack of practical hard skills taught in schools. He said these skills are needed to get the jobs Micron’s arrival will bring.

Hogan said education is the key solution to reducing child poverty. He emphasized the importance of creating practical programs for students beyond college degrees, highlighting a welding program at Onondaga Community College. He said the program allows students to get jobs with Micron and emphasized the need for such programs city-wide.

“We have to make sure that those benefits from those jobs are spread across all our neighborhoods,” Hogan said, “No neighborhoods left out of the benefits.”

Candidates discussed how addressing lead poisoning is a major priority.

Owens attributed the crisis to previous administrations, saying addressing the errors made regarding inaccurate testing is important to her. She emphasized the need to bring in outside experts to the city. Majok disagreed, arguing the current administration “especially” negatively impacted the crisis.

“There is no accountability,” Majok said. “There is no ownership, and that is where the problem starts.”

When discussing the city’s Micron Project, Majok said the city isn’t prepared for its presence. Hogan emphasized the need for Micron and the upward mobility it provides, but said the government must ensure its benefits are spread across all city neighborhoods.

Owens echoed Hogan and said when instituting a program like Micron, which city residents may not be familiar with, it’s important to “demystify” the company and ensure everyone is aware of the job skills required.

In response to SPD Police Chief Joseph Cecil’s April 15 retirement announcement for the end of this year, candidates discussed their plans to choose his successor while understanding the significance of the city’s police presence. Hogan, Majok and Owens all agreed on Cecil’s positive impact, saying he did good work to improve Syracuse.

Owens added that her ideal new chief would understand “21st-century policing.” Majok echoed Owens, but said the new chief would need to understand “cultural changes” and adapt to future policies. He noted his hope for a police department that would “embrace all people.”

The debate remained peaceful with the candidates reflecting on their love of Syracuse,
experiences working together and what they said is their combined desire to create meaningful change for the city.

The Democratic primary election will take place on June 24, with early voting beginning June 14.

Published on May 1, 2025 at 4:33 am