The Onondaga County Democratic Comittee has chosen Syracuse Councilor Michael Greene as their desginated candidate in the 2021 race for city mayor.

Greene won 58% of the committee's vote, held during a virtual meeting Wendesday evening.

He has been a Syracuse councilor-at-large since 2017 and currently serves as the chair of the council’s Finance Committee.  

Atop Greene's agenda is affordable housing, developing property that will open up should the community grid option go forward regarding the Interstate 81 viaduct, and changing old zoning laws that he said are holding neighborhoods back.

Greene also hopes to implement a commissioner of public safety, someone who works between both the department and city hall to help with reform.

"I am honored to earn the support of the Democratic Committee," Greene said in a statement. "Syracuse is a city with a serious problem of leaving people behind, but with the right policies and the right leadership, we can uplift all of our community members. Together, we can make Syracuse a city for all of us."

Councilor Khalid Bey, another candidate for the designation, said his campaign will continue.

"There has been an undeniable wave of excitement and momentum surrounding this campaign," Bey said in a statement. "As I continue my campaign for mayor, I look forward to having another opportunity to earn the endorsement of the OCDC after the primary. The city of Syracuse deserves an authentic and passionate mayor who delivers informed and principled results. I am confident that I am the person best fit to do that."

Bey will formally announce his path forward on Friday.

Current Mayor Ben Walsh, an independent, is running for a second term.