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The Daily OrangeMiner elected first female mayor
Democrat addresses historic event, obstacles
By Michelle San Miguel
Posted: 11/4/09, 3:34 AM EST Section: News
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"I have learned firsthand that anything worth doing you can't do alone," Miner told her crowd of supporters Tuesday night while celebrating her win at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel.
Miner will be the first woman to become mayor of Syracuse when she takes office Jan. 1.
In 2005, Republican Joanie Mahoney, now the Onondaga County executive, ran for mayor but lost to Democratic incumbent Matt Driscoll, who is now finishing his second term as mayor of Syracuse. Driscoll could not seek re-election because of term limits.
Miner steps up to the mayor's office after eight years as a common councilor-at-large. In Tuesday's election, she beat two other candidates. Political newcomer and TV executive Steve Kimatian ran as the Republican and Independent Party candidate. And Otis Jennings, longtime city parks and recreation commissioner, ran as the Conservative Party nominee. In September, Jennings lost the GOP primary to Kimatian.
Miner won Tuesday's election with nearly 50 percent of the votes, in unofficial results from the Onondaga County Board of Elections. Miner garnered 2,436 more votes than Kimatian, who received 39 percent of the votes. Jennings came in with 2,314 votes, or 10 percent.
Miner's real campaign begins after the election, she told her crowd of supporters Tuesday night.
"I ask each of you to join me - and whether you voted for me or Steve or Otis, or whether you didn't vote at all - to join me in our real campaign, which starts tomorrow. Our real campaign to make Syracuse a city of justice, a city of peace and a city of hope for all of its residents."
Miner's win was expected, as Democrats outnumber Republicans in Syracuse 3 to 1, according to the Onondaga County Board of Elections. She also raised considerably more money than the other candidates, coming in with $546,118, according to Oct. 23 campaign finance reports filed with the New York State Board of Elections.
Miner began serving as a common councilor-at-large in 2001. She could not run for re-election to that seat because of term limits. In her time on the Common Council, Miner became well known for supporting education and later for leading initiatives with Say Yes to Education, a program aimed to increase high school and college graduation rates.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Anonymous
posted 11/04/09 @ 10:07 AM EST
When the Obama Administration and Pelosi support you all the way from Washington, you are not going to lose. Pathetic to see that 15,000 in a city of over 100k voted in the mayoral race. (Continued…)
Jeanette Jeneault
posted 11/04/09 @ 10:24 AM EST
Go Stephanie...a Syracuse alum and a person of great character. We are so very proud of all you have accomplished and will accomplish. You are an inspiration. (Continued…)
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