Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, a political independent, is endorsing Democrat Al Stirpe in the crowded race for an open New York State Senate seat next year.
Stirpe, an eight-term state Assembly member from Central New York, is among three Democrats and one Republican seeking the 50th Senate District seat in the 2024 election.
The seat will open because state Sen. John Mannion, D-Geddes, has decided to run for Congress next year in the 22nd Congressional District.
Walsh said he decided to back Stirpe, 70, of Cicero, based on his experience working with him on matters of regional interest.
“Al Stirpe understands the importance of the city of Syracuse to our whole region,” Walsh said in statement.
“He’s been an effective advocate on issues that matter to city residents – from creating jobs at the Syracuse Tech Garden, to working with Centro to provide service from the hub in downtown Syracuse to manufacturers in the northern suburbs,” Walsh said.
Walsh is not enrolled in a political party and won’t be able to vote for Stripe in a potential Democratic primary next year.
Stirpe is opposed by Chris Ryan, 51, of Geddes, the top Democrat in the Onondaga County Legislature, and Tom Drumm, 30, of Oswego, the former Democratic minority leader in the Oswego County Legislature.
Republican James Rowley, 61, of Clay, kicked off his campaign for the Senate seat in July. Rowley, chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, did not seek reelection this month to the county post.
Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro, 32, is also exploring a bid for the Senate seat ss a Republican. Paro was reelected town supervisor last week. He said he will decide about the Senate race early next year.
The 50th Senate District has been one of the most competitive Senate races in the state in recent years. Mannion won by 10 votes last year over Republican Rebecca Shiroff.
In 2020, Mannion became the first Democrat to win the state Senate seat in Central New York that had been in Republican control for…
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