The Onondaga County Democratic Committee has designated its slate of candidates for the 2021 election, which will include the Syracuse mayoral race. Councilor-at-large Michael Greene earned 58 percent of the vote over fellow councilor-at-large Khalid Bey.
In a statement, Green said he was honored to earn the support of the 220-member Democratic Committee.
"Syracuse is a city with a serious problem of leaving people behind, but with the right policies and the right leadership, we can uplift all of our community members. Together, we can make Syracuse a city for all of us.”
Greene did his share of lobbying the committee. He says he made more than 1,000 calls and mailed 600 letters. Greene was appointed to the council in 2017, and has since won elections in 2018 and 2019. He chairs the council's finance committee.
Meanwhile, Khalid Bey also released a statement, where he congratulated Greene on the desigation. But he also said he plans to continue his bid for mayor.
"Since I have announced my candidacy, there has been an undeniable wave of excitement and momentum surrounding this campaign. As I continue my campaign, I look forward to having another opportunity to earn the endorsement of the OCDC after the primary. The city of Syracuse deserves an authentic and passionate mayor who delivers informed and principled results. I am confident that I am the person best fit to do that."
Bey says he will make a formal announcement on Friday.
Here's the remaining slate of candidates, as provided by the Committee:
Judge Erica T. Clarke was picked for the City Court Judge seat made vacant by Judge Rory McMahon's election to the New York State Supreme Court.
Rasheada Caldwell and Councilor Ronnie White Jr. were chosen for the two Councilor-at-Large seats up in this year's election.
Nyatwa Bullock, Karen J. Cordano, and David P. Maynard will be the Committee's candidates for Commissioner of Education. Incumbent school board members Pat Body, David Cecile, and Derrick Dorsey did not run for re-election.
Incumbent Onondaga County Legislators in the 15th and 16th Districts were challenged for the Committee's designation. Legislator Bill Kinne was chosen in the 15th. Legislator Vernon M. Williams Jr. was designated in the 16th District.
The full list of candidates designated on February 17th includes:
FOR ONONDAGA COUNTY LEGISLATURE
1st District - Justin Neal
2nd District - Denise Baker
3rd District - Matthew Johnson
4th District - Stephon Williams
5th District - Chris Shepherd
6th District - Diane M. Dwire
7th District - Mary Kuhn
8th District - Christopher J. Ryan
9th District - Peggy Chase
10th District - Heather Waters
11th District - Ryan Suser
12th District - Sunny Aslam
13th District - Sara Aaserud
14th District - Shanelle Benson Reid
15th District - Bill Kinne
16th District - Vernon M. Williams, Jr.
17th District - Linda R. Ervin
CITY OF SYRACUSE
Mayor - Michael Greene
City Court Judge - Erica T. Clarke
Council President - Helen D. Hudson
Councilor-at-Large - Rasheada Caldwell
Councilor-at-Large - Ronnie White Jr.
1st District Councilor - John P. Copanas
2nd District Councilor - Patrick J. Hogan
3rd District Councilor - Chol Majok
4th District Councilor - Latoya D. Allen
5th District Councilor - Joseph T. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education - Nyatwa Bullock
Commissioner of Education - Karen J. Cordano
Commissioner of Education - David P. Maynard
TOWN OF MANLIUS
Supervisor - John T. Deer
Councilor - Sara Wall Bollinger
Councilor - Katelyn Kriesel
Councilor - William Nicholson
Justice - David A. Rothschild
Town Clerk - Mark Matt
Highway Superintendent - Cheryl M. Matt
TOWN OF SALINA
Supervisor - Kathy Zabinski
2nd Ward Councilor - Leesa Paul
3rd Ward Councilor - Tina Fitzgerald
