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Sharon Owens, deputy mayor of the city of Syracuse, launched her mayoral campaign Monday. She is the first to announce an official candidacy in the 2025 Syracuse mayoral elections.

Owens, a Democrat, first confirmed her mayoral bid in a Sunday afternoon press release. She joined supporters on the corner of East Fayette and Almond Street — across from the Interstate 81 viaduct — to officially begin her campaign Monday evening.

During her remarks, Owens emphasized her commitment to supporting the city’s ongoing I-81 viaduct removal project and workforce development efforts ahead of Micron Technology’s arrival, syracuse.com reported. If elected, Owens — who has served as deputy mayor since 2018 — would be the city’s first Black mayor.

“We are not going to let this opportunity slip by us,” Owens said. “My mission will be to continue to collaborate, continue to push forward, to continue to defend Syracuse with everything in my body.”

Current Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh appointed Owens, a Syracuse University alumna, as deputy mayor in 2017. Walsh, an independent, told syracuse.com it is too early for him to endorse a candidate but said he has “no doubt (Owens) would be an excellent mayor.”

Walsh has reached his two-term limit and will not be up for reelection in 2025.

Owens formed an exploratory committee for her campaign in August under “Owens for Syracuse,” according to Central Current. Exploratory committees are legal organizations formed by candidates considering running for office that allow candidates to raise money without as strict campaign finance rules as official campaign committees.

Jimmy Oliver, Syracuse Police Department’s community engagement director, is expected to run against Owens. Oliver filed papers with the state Board of Elections to establish a mayoral candidacy, syracuse.com reported Wednesday.

Oliver, a Democrat, has worked alongside Owens in the Walsh administration since 2018. He told syracuse.com he has not yet established a platform for his upcoming campaign, but he has previously worked on programs within SPD to support youth in the city. The two are the only people who have submitted paperwork for their candidacy so far.

Owens has an extensive background in advocating for housing and community development, with over 30 years of experience with various non-profit organizations including Home HeadQuarters and Jubilee Homes of Syracuse. She also previously served as CEO of the Syracuse Community Connections, a non-profit organization providing human services throughout Onondaga County.

Party primaries for the race will be held in June 2025 and the general mayoral election will be in November 2025.

News editor Julia Boehning contributed reporting to this article.

Published on September 30, 2024 at 10:52 pm

Contact Delia: dsrangel@syr.edu