With early voting for local primaries beginning Saturday, two Democrats looking to challenge Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh this fall will debate Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. exclusively on Spectrum News 1.
Khalid Bey and Michael Greene are looking to land on the Democrat line for the November election. Primary election day is June 22.
Born and raised on the city’s south side, Corcoran High graduate Khalid Bey bought the house he currently lives in just five minutes from his previous home, an apartment building on South Salina Street.
As he walks around this neighborhood, he sees the challenges the entire city has struggled with when it comes to equity.
But he says he sees a city with "ridiculous potential."
What You Need To Know
- Khalid Bey says he has a number of priorities and plans to work on them all, touting and energy and desire not only for the job, but the city and everyone living in it
- Michael Greene has crafted a 14-issue plan, called “A City for All of Us,” he says will transform the city and bring about the true change the city needs to prosper and help those living in it
- The winner of this race will move on to November’s general election, where he will take on the Republican primary winner and Mayor Ben Walsh
It’s a philosophic ideal the man with now a decade of experience on the city’s Common Council says he wants to bring to life.
“I think I am the example of what our city creates," Bey said. "There are so many greater examples that I’ve witnessed throughout our community."
Growing up on Onondaga Hill, Michael Greene, is also looking to be on the Democratic ticket in November, feels right at home walking Syracuse's streets.
The Cornell graduate, a common councilor since 2017, sees much of the same with every step he takes and every door he knocks on. He believes there are challenges the city faces with equity, transportation, taxes and policing.
“I think the most urgent thing right now is police reform,” Greene said. “It’s been in the news obviously all across the country, but in Syracuse, we haven’t adequately adjusted. There’s still a lot of distrust between the community and the police department. I think that needs to be priority number one.”
That is one of 14 reforms Greene lays out in a plan he crafted called "A City for All of Us."
“For me, there’s still a lot of people and a lot of neighborhoods left behind,” Greene added. “When I look at the policies in place in the city, my thought is that unfortunately, I don’t think anything is going to change unless we really, dramatically, make some changes.”
Bey’s plan is to also tackle the issues, equity, a sustainable tax base, sidewalks and police reform, but also use that philosophy of ensuring people get real help as they journey down avenues to earn opportunity.
“I think people, if they see a sincerity, whatever leave of success we may have, when trying to empower people, I think if they see a sincerity, it is appreciated,” Bey said.
In addition to Wednesday night's debate, Spectrum News 1 hosted a debate between the two GOP candidates, Janet Burman and Thomas Babilon, on Tuesday.