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First Generation Syracusan Will Challenge Democrat's Nominee in Race for City Court Judge

Scott Willis/WAER News

A life-long democrat and candidate for Syracuse City Court Judge says she’s ready to challenge the Democratic Party’s designee in a primary.   More than two dozen supporters, including some prominent city democrats, stood behind Attorney Shadia Tadros today to show their solidarity.  Tadros says she’d rather run on issues than politics, but had to go through the party’s selection process.

“I’ve made wonderful connections in the local democratic party. Many of these folks are local democrats and committee members. I myself was a committee member for five years. And so the process was a great process, a wonderful process. We simply don’t agree that it’s representative of the city at this point.”

Tadros told supporters there’s a movement and quest for change that other democrats don’t see coming.

“Although those few individuals of the committee may represent their lot in the city, I do not believe that they reach every part and every resident in this community. And as such, it is then my obligation to continue my candidacy and open up the process to all Syracuse democrats.”

Credit Scott Willis/WAER News
Shadia Tadros speaks with Common Council President Helen Hudson while her parents stand by.

That means a primary race in September between Tadros and party designee Ann Magnarelli.  Over the past decade, Tadros says she’s routinely practiced law in front of city court.  She says it was the wide variety of cases that made her realize how the community is affected by the decisions of a city court judge.   Now she says it’s a matter of impressing that importance upon residents who might not give a judicial race that much attention.  

“With the housing crisis going on here in the city of Syracuse, housing court is the frontline of that in many ways. Criminal justice reform, bail reform – well your city court is the front face of that. And then small claims, that’s really the people’s court where most people represent themselves. City court really is the front line but people just don’t know it.”

If elected, Tadros would become the first Arab-American to hold city office.  She’s a first generation Syracusan who grew up on South Avenue and graduated from Corcoran High School.  Her opponent, Ann Magnarelli, is currently Deputy County Attorney. She has served as a lawyer in several public and private sector roles over the past decade.