Race for Syracuse Mayor

Was that a shot fired across the bow this morning in the race for Mayor of Syracuse or was it the democrats beginning to form a circular firing squad? Former mayoral candidate and current Common Council President Bea Gonzalez endorsed former councilor Joe Nicoletti. It wasn't the endorsement of Nicoletti that signaled the true start to this major political race. It was the words carefully chosen by the typically cordial Gonzalez that revealed a tougher, competitive tone taken against the party's designated candidate Stephanie Miner.

Bea Gonzalez stood alongside Nicoletti and said, "We've all seen Councilor Miner in her public persona and I'm looking for leadership that is more even tempered and has a sense of fairness that I have not always seen in my colleague." The words without the tone don't tell the whole story. There was nearly a wink that came with the words "even tempered". It wasn't a reach to interpret the comment as personally critical of Miner.

In response Miner plans to hold her own news conference tomorrow late in the morning to share her feelings about the comments from her colleague on the council. She already has issued a statement saying something to the effect of Bea Gonzalez has the right to endorse who she wants and she looks forward to working together with her on future issues. The tempered response revealed exactly what Gonzalez criticized her for not having - an even temper.

The political battle is on. I would expect some of the party leaders and members who designated Miner as the party's choice will stand with her tomorrow as she talks about her campaign. Yet, it is clear the party is not unified behind one choice. Bea Gonzalez has her own supporters that she hopes to bring to the Nicoletti camp. Coalition building can be the key to victory.

Returning to the gun metaphor, maybe it wasn't a shot across the bow or a circular firing squad, but it was at least the sound of the starting gun that the real race is on.



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