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The Daily OrangeSteve Kimatian | Republican and political newcomer focuses on crime, city development
By Julia Terruso
Posted: 11/3/09, 2:15 AM EST Section: News
Steve Kimatian wants to run Syracuse the company way.
"I've spent my entire career managing people, hiring people, being responsible for tens of millions of dollars and being a good communicator," Kimatian said. "And that's what we need in the mayor's office."
Kimatian, who spent 30 years as a TV executive, is the Republican candidate for Syracuse mayor. He is a political novice in Syracuse. But in the Sept. 15 primaries, Kimatian defeated Otis Jennings for the GOP mayoral nomination. He will face Democratic and Working Families candidate Stephanie Miner and Jennings, who is running on the Conservative Party ticket, in the general election today.
In Syracuse, Kimatian, 68, is best known for his long career in TV, as a lawyer and as a philanthropist. He worked as general counsel to Newport Television until he announced his candidacy for mayor in May. From 1998 to 2008, Kimatian hosted "With Steve On Sunday" on WSYR-TV, Channel 9.
Kimatian grew up in Long Island, N.Y., and received his bachelor's degree in English from Princeton University and a degree from Cornell Law School. His career has centered on broadcasting. He served as general manager for WJZ-TV in Baltimore, from 1974 to 1978 and was president of Maryland Public Television from 1982 to1986.
He's a father of two who married his high school sweetheart, Janet. His family is close, literally. His granddaughter, Sarah Rose, and her parents live next door in the Sedgwick neighborhood in Syracuse. Kimatian is building her a playhouse, and he said he tries never to miss his son-in-law's bike races.
Kimatian's only other brush with politics prior to running for mayor was an unsuccessful bid 29 years ago for a seat in the Maryland General Assembly. He was the Republican candidate running in a predominantly Democratic city.
But that's much like the election this time around. Syracuse Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. And in the run for campaign money, as of Monday, Kimatian had raised only $84,334 compared to Miner's $546,118, according to campaign finance reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections.
"I've spent my entire career managing people, hiring people, being responsible for tens of millions of dollars and being a good communicator," Kimatian said. "And that's what we need in the mayor's office."
Kimatian, who spent 30 years as a TV executive, is the Republican candidate for Syracuse mayor. He is a political novice in Syracuse. But in the Sept. 15 primaries, Kimatian defeated Otis Jennings for the GOP mayoral nomination. He will face Democratic and Working Families candidate Stephanie Miner and Jennings, who is running on the Conservative Party ticket, in the general election today.
In Syracuse, Kimatian, 68, is best known for his long career in TV, as a lawyer and as a philanthropist. He worked as general counsel to Newport Television until he announced his candidacy for mayor in May. From 1998 to 2008, Kimatian hosted "With Steve On Sunday" on WSYR-TV, Channel 9.
Kimatian grew up in Long Island, N.Y., and received his bachelor's degree in English from Princeton University and a degree from Cornell Law School. His career has centered on broadcasting. He served as general manager for WJZ-TV in Baltimore, from 1974 to 1978 and was president of Maryland Public Television from 1982 to1986.
He's a father of two who married his high school sweetheart, Janet. His family is close, literally. His granddaughter, Sarah Rose, and her parents live next door in the Sedgwick neighborhood in Syracuse. Kimatian is building her a playhouse, and he said he tries never to miss his son-in-law's bike races.
Kimatian's only other brush with politics prior to running for mayor was an unsuccessful bid 29 years ago for a seat in the Maryland General Assembly. He was the Republican candidate running in a predominantly Democratic city.
But that's much like the election this time around. Syracuse Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. And in the run for campaign money, as of Monday, Kimatian had raised only $84,334 compared to Miner's $546,118, according to campaign finance reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections.
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