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Kevin Bott launches Green Party mayoral campaign in Syracuse

Ellen Abbott/WRVO file photo

Syracuse's Green Party is optimistic about the race for mayor of Syracuse. Candidate Kevin Bott kicked off his campaign on the steps of City Hall yesterday, suggesting that even though incumbent mayor Stephanie Miner won a three-way Democratic primary, there are signs her political support isn't that strong.

"It's obvious simply by the turnout and the fact that an incumbent mayor got less votes than she got the first time in the primary, and that 46 percent of her own base voted against her, that people are hungry for change," Bott said. "That's the point. People are hungry for a different kind of leadership."

Bott says the way the political process works now, the same patterns continue to repeat themselves. He lists the economy, crime and education as his campaign priorities, and among his ideas for closing a multi-million dollar budget gap include a progressive income tax.

"I'm in this race because of a sense of urgency that I have felt as a father, a citizen, and as a working person in this country," Bott said. "And it's a sense of urgency that I don't feel is shared by the people we continue to support and elect."

In addition, a state court ruling this week means there could be a Republican candidate facing the mayor in the general election. State Supreme Court Judge Hugh Gilbert dismissed a case that would have prevented Republicans from having a GOP line on the November ballot.

Republican Party Chairman Tom Dadey says the GOP will continue to seek a suitable candidate who would make a strong mayor. There has been speculation that one of the losers in this weeks democratic primary, Common Councilor Pat Hogan, could run as a Republican.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.