Syracuse Common Councilor Khalid Bey is making a run for Syracuse mayor.

The Democrat became the first candidate to formally enter the race, announcing his bid this morning on Facebook. Bey is a councilor at-large in his second and final term.

In his campaign announcement, he talked about a desire to turn around Syracuse's weakening financial health and population decline.

"Government often, and understandably so, has a preoccupation with tomorrow," he said. "But tomorrow's effort cannot continue to be promoted at the expense of today, this moment."

Bey said he plans to speak with Democratic Party leaders in hopes of earning the party's nomination heading into any potential primary next year.