Syracuse mayoral candidates debate issues at SU town hall
Syracuse mayoral candidates debate issues at SU town hall
Four candidates in the race to be the next mayor of Syracuse discussed local issues brought up by an audience of residents and Syracuse University students.
Major issues facing Syracuse, including the arrival of Micron, homelessness and city spending, were among those that four mayoral candidates debated Monday night at Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center.
Republican candidate Tom Babilon, independent Alfonso Davis, Democrat Sharon Owens and independent Tim Rudd fielded nearly a dozen questions from audience members at the town hall debate sponsored by the student-run CitrusTV.
Construction on Micron’s computer chip plant complex is expected to begin at the end of 2025, creating 9,000 jobs for Syracuse residents. When asked about Micron, Bablion said it is a great opportunity to bring revenue to Syracuse. Davis added that those jobs are not going to those who cannot pass background checks, implying that residents who need these jobs the most may not be able to get them.
Owens championed entry-level jobs at Micron as “wage-sustaining, family-sustaining jobs.”
Rudd said he sees Micron as an opportunity to bring more housing to the urban core. He also mentioned that people in Syracuse need to buy homes.
“Everyone. Black, brown, purple, white, everyone,” Rudd said.
This question was the first time during the debate where candidates began speaking about each other, with Rudd telling the audience to buy homes or else “Sharon” will throw them out.
Candidates’ jabs at each other were frequent throughout the debate. Owens offered to stay after the event to answer any audience questions about the statements made about her.
When candidates were asked how they would better allocate city funds, the question phrased the Walsh administration as “wasting funds.” Bablion and Davis agreed that the administration had wasted money.
“There is a lack of complete common sense in this administration,” Babilon said.
While in office, Davis said he plans to invest in small businesses. Bablion and Rudd did not provide examples of what they would do in office, and instead criticized the current administration, while Owens explained the claims of other candidates.
The final question asked candidates how they would address homelessness in Syracuse. Bablion recounted his experiences seeing homeless people downtown and outside his office, and said that the city needs to “unhandcuff our police officers,” claiming that he will clean up downtown.
Davis countered with “You can’t criminalize everything, you have to have compassion,” which got a roar of applause, and wants to create opportunities for people not to be downtown.
Owens claimed that the City of Syracuse has taken much of the responsibility for homelessness, citing that “There’s not one homeless shelter outside the city of Syracuse.” Rudd said he believes the city needs to get more people with drug-related issues into substance abuse programs.
Other highlights from the debate include, Davis reaffirming his belief that the assassination attempt on Trump was staged, Rudd’s stating, “If you don’t like it, don’t vote for me” and the discussion on the controversially expensive payroll project during Walsh’s term.
Election Day is Nov. 4, with early voting beginning Saturday, Oct. 25.
Click this link to watch the full debate.
About the candidates
Tom Bablion (Republican)
Tom Bablion has practiced law in New York for 22 years, and has lived in Syracuse for the same amount of time. Currently, he is a senior attorney at a not-for-profit law firm, providing appellate legal support to those who can afford an attorney. His platform consists of the following points:
- No tax or fee increases
- Clean up downtown
- Successful public safety
- Restore the city hall
- Support small businesses
- Reexamine the budget/save money
- Keep the Columbus statue
Alfonso Davis (Independent)
Alfonso Davis was born and raised in Syracuse and has been a self-proclaimed community activist for over 30 years. Davis has previously run for mayor three times. He has a career in politics, including serving on the Task Force on Police Community Relations, developing the State of Black Affairs Forum, and managing campaigns. His platform consists of the following points:
- Economic growth, including small businesses
- Education
- Public safety by supporting law enforcement
- Providing services, including citywide repairs
- Government accountability
Sharon Owens (Democrat)
Sharon Owens is a Syracuse University graduate who discovered her passion for public service through an internship during her junior year. As the current Deputy Mayor (the vice-mayor) in Walsh’s administration, Owens has been in office for nearly eight years and has over 30 years of experience in policy affecting Syracuse. Her platform consists of the following points:
- Make neighborhoods thrive
- Successful public safety
- Supporting young people
- Inclusive and growing economy
- Financial sustainability
Tim Rudd (Independent)
Tim Rudd was born and raised in Syracuse, graduating from Syracuse University in 2007. He has 20 years of experience in government finance and served as a Councilor at-large on the Syracuse City Council, and worked as Budget Director/Procurement Director at the Office of Management and Budget. His platform consists of the following points:
- U-turn for Syracuse Housing Authority
- Grow the urban core
- Land bank overhaul
- Funding the fire department and police
- Urban planning for mobility
- Safer, cleaner, sustainable water systems
is a contributor for The NewsHouse.
is a contributor for The NewsHouse.