SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse Democratic mayoral primary candidate Khalid Bey has all but wrapped up his bid to be on the ballot in November.
Bey unofficially defeated Michael Greene this afternoon after the absentee votes were counted. Greene conceded after learning that Bey won by a margin of 34 votes, enough to avoid a hand recount.
Our campaign came up 34 votes short but I am so proud of the race that we ran. Let’s keep up the fight to make Syracuse a better place for all of us. pic.twitter.com/tQEys8PJV6
— Michael Greene (@GreeneMC) June 29, 2021
By winning the Syracuse Democratic mayoral primary, Bey will run against incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh in November. Bey previously addressed the difficulties of defeating an incumbent, yet saying why he believes he can.
“Trying to unseat an incumbent is difficult, so if you have an incumbent that has a respectable performance record they will be difficult to unseat. We have an incumbent who hasn’t done as much work,” said Bey.
However, since Walsh runs as an independent, there will also be a third candidate on the mayoral ballot. Janet Burman won the Syracuse Republican mayoral primary without needing a count of absentee ballots.
Burman also had a similar take on whether or not Walsh should be reelected.
“I have decided his leadership is failing. Many citizens believe that as well. I want to present myself as a more effective leader for our city,” Burman said.
Walsh has not responded to any formal media requests.
The mayoral election is on November 5, with early voting taking place October 23-31.
