PERSONAL LIFE
I am a husband, father, son, friend, neighbor, gardener, and public servant. I largely define myself through these relationships. These relationships are not what most qualifies me to serve as your Mayor, but I feel you should know what is most important to me.
I live with my family on the Southside in Elmwood. We have five kids (5, 6, 13, 17, & 22), two dogs, and a handful of chickens. Over the last eight years, I have bought five other houses on my block that I have renovated and rented out. Additionally, my personal passion project has been converting a vacant city lot into our lush family garden built from salvaged materials.
Over the last decade, I have helped convert a handful of vacant dilapidated houses on my block into side yards and a community garden. I have facilitated continued investment and attention into Elmwood, the Southside, and Syracuse. I am committed to the idea of asset-based community development; Elmwood Park is my neighborhood’s greatest and most unknown asset. Every day my family puts our sweat, hearts, and dollars into our block and similarly we reap the joy of our invested energy.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
One of my best friends regularly calls me “a son of Syracuse”. Over time I have embraced his tag. I was: born at St. Joseph’s hospital, raised in Eastwood, attended Syracuse City Schools K-12 and I am a proud Henninger Black Knight. I then attended Syracuse University on a program called the Syracuse Challenge (a precursor to Say Yes). Eventually, I went back to Syracuse University to attend the Maxwell school where I earned a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in State and Local Finance.
For the last 18 years I have worked in various public finance roles. First in New York City for Mayor Bloomberg’s Office of Management and Budget. Then at a nonprofit called MDRC where I analyzed costs and benefits of innovative social programs and became deeply involved in new forms of social financing including the structuring of the first Social Impact Bond. In 2017, I was elected to an At Large seat on the Syracuse Common Council where I served as the Finance Chair for nearly three years until I left the council to become Mayor Walsh’s Budget Director. I served our city as the Budget Director for more than four years with honor. The highest level of City government needs a fresh, thoughtful, and experienced leader. I believe I am the most qualified to lead our City at this point.
MOTIVATION FOR SYRACUSE
I am an aggressive advocate for Syracuse. I love our city and find beauty and potential at every turn. This is who I have always been, and who I will always be. My advocacy work has been largely focused on breathing new life into Syracuse treasure, buried beneath years of neglect or often discarded as worthless. There is unique potential in Syracuse and creating positive change has been purposeful and fulfilling. I loved my job as a Common Councilor, I really loved my job as Syracuse’s Budget Director and I didn’t aspire to be Syracuse’s Mayor in 2025. Rather, I was one of the first people to donate to Sharon Owens ($1,057 – which is a lot of money in my home) in order to encourage her and support her. I briefly volunteered on her election campaign and even encouraged the person who became her campaign manager. However, this abruptly changed when I was ostracized for demanding accountability for $10 million in tax payer dollars that was inappropriately spent, which inspired me to run for Mayor instead.
A Pivot, Fraud at City Hall
In November 2024, a whistle blower came to city hall with a 200 page report making allegations of fraud on a major professional service contract. I did all I could to carry the truth on this matter and that path in practice destroyed my relationship with Mayor Ben Walsh and Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens. While I was pleading for corrective action and offering my assistance, Ben Walsh and Sharon Owens were idling, questioning my motives, asking if I would like to see them in jail, and trying to convince me that the situation required compromise. They gave credence to people involved in unethical behavior. Their inaction allowed the situation to escalate into a scandal. This was a crucible for me, one where I charted a different path than the current administration. Any other ethical person would have done the same and my reaction came amid a shocking loss of trust in people that I worked with in a professional capacity for several years and a sudden necessity to preserve truth as a public servant with fiduciary responsibilities. I started recording everything, including a candid conversation with one of my mentors that I provided media access to and posted online, summarizing the experience.
Out of a 2-hour conversation about fraud, a short segment was exploited with misquotes for a media publication – turning the entire situation into something much different than the point of the discussion. I don’t believe listening to the entire clip will fully clarify and resolve things, but there is a total of 2 hours of audio footage I’ve kept public in an effort to remain openly transparent and accountable for it. You can listen to the conversation where I describe the fraud at City Hall in the following video and formulate your own opinion: YouTube | Fraud.
Considerations
In response to subsequent media inquiries related to the events at City Hall, journalists were unable to quote me verbatim on the previously alleged references and I have since limited my responses to media outlets to avoid future misquotes, instead directing their attention to my website for more information. I have been asked several misleading questions as to whether or not I stand by “my comments” along with speculation regarding my whereabouts in the aftermath and if I’ve been in hiding or actually a legitimate candidate for Mayor. How does one stand or not stand by misquotes or comments taken out of context? Other than the overabundance of media attention and social media exposure I was a part of when the events unfolded at City Hall, my level of visibility in the few months thereafter has been on par with what it was previously, very much aligned with a life that is based on being hard at work, present for my family in the moment, and almost entirely out of the public spotlight and off of social media as a personal lifestyle choice. I’ve been very consistent in my activity and productivity in the community in both a personal and professional capacity, not in hiding, and I am most certainly a legitimate candidate for Mayor.
Getting 1,700 signatures by myself with 1 week still left to spare and with no official team and no fundraising was intentional and rewarding, albeit one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do but I needed to do it and got it done. There was nothing complex or lonely about working hard alongside my family and the residents of Syracuse to get on the ballot for Mayor. By comparison, Sharon was the top candidate in the Democratic Primary gathering signatures from the largest voter base, had hundreds of thousands of dollars for marketing, a relatively massive bench, and gathered signatures the entire petition window, including at events like birthday parties to celebrate herself and candidacy for Mayor. In the end, she only reported a few hundred more signatures than what I earned as an Independent Candidate and without anyone putting forth much effort to challenge the authenticity of her signatures. The capabilities of each candidate and support each one of us has earned is much different than what voters are led to believe via media publications.
On a go-forward basis, please consider what I was able to accomplish on my own going door-to-door versus a giant team with exponentially more resources. Imagine what I would be capable of with a full team and resources working for you. Who would you trust to use city resources the most effectively on your behalf? I am committed to going out every day to gain greater support for a transparent, accountable, efficient and effective City Hall and will continue to work to give you confidence that your vote for me is the right choice that you can be proud of. I will continue to point media personnel to this website for information related to the events at City Hall and use valuable discussion time for more important topics Syracuse residents care about. Hopefully the news cycle follows suit. I appreciate all those who saw through the media debacle at the time and understood my true intentions to expose and preserve the truth and do right by Syracuse residents.
If you are interested, below are links to some of the more prominent media coverage, including the most recent publication where other Mayoral candidates weigh in on the past situation. Some publications were more thoughtful than others but ultimately you will decide for yourself. To the extent possible, I hope the links can help clarify whatever you feel you need to know about the situation and bring closure to it.
CNY Central | Mayoral Candidates Weigh In
CNY Central | Controversy Over Contracts
CNY Central | Whistleblower Disputes Syracuse Mayors Facts
CNY Central | NY Attorney General Reviewing Contract Controversy at Syracuse City Hall
Central Current | Contractor Accuses Syracuse of Using Business as Pass Through
Central Current | Syracuse Delays Payroll Rollout After 4 Years – Millions ($) To Consultants
Prioritizing Syracuse
I owe it to myself and to Syracuse voters to always speak candidly, regardless of how it might make you feel about me and my opinions or whether you will vote for me. This is how we make real progress. I am running for Mayor because I believe I am the best candidate, but regardless of outcome, I believe my candidacy alone helps set the bar higher for everyone seeking leadership positions in Syracuse. With no certainty what media coverage or debate time I will receive, I’m leaning mostly on this website, my social media pages, the debate stage and my effort to knock on 20,000 resident doors as my primary methods of disseminating information related to my candidacy.
My contact information is publicly available, I have a lot of ideas to share and I want to engage in as much dialogue as possible on the topics that matter most so our city can be “better”. I encourage voters to ask me their most important questions when I am in front of them, and I will happily provide answers so we all can make informed decisions. Of the 1,700 residents all over Syracuse that have already endorsed my candidacy, most prioritized discussion around ideas for moving Syracuse forward and were encouraged by my enthusiasm, experience and approach. There was an underlying understanding and appreciation of my efforts to try and do the right thing for Syracuse. It continues to serve as motivation for me to stand up for Syracuse. There is a discrepancy between what topics the media prioritizes versus what topics residents prioritize on their doorsteps. That in mind, I intend to save taxpayers money by going the extra step of eliminating resources used to spin false or cozy narratives at City Hall so that we can consistently cut through the noise, get to the root of issues and arrive at solutions faster.
Efficiency & Ethics
I am committed to raising minimal funds in my campaign for Mayor and don’t believe in getting donations from people that live outside the city or spending donor dollars on marketing material that immediately winds up in a dumpster. As such, my campaign has a much different look and feel than other candidates and I am leaning on my resume, platform and direct interactions with voters to market my candidacy and focus on transparency and accountability. In contrast, throughout the primaries Sharon Owens had said she’s not a political insider to portray a marketable image while proceeding to then outpace every opponent and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars as a first time candidate – spending countless dollars and hours buying a win. She used donor dollars to pump out self-absorbed marketing material and hosted events to celebrate and fuel her own success while city projects failed. She then channeled thousands of donor dollars into lawsuits against several opposing candidates, having them removed from voting ballots. I know this first hand as I personally knocked on thousands of doors all throughout Syracuse for up to 11 hours per day over the course of several weeks to gather 1700 signatures and legitimately earn a place on the ballot only to have Sharon hire private investigators to visit multiple homes and eventually file a lawsuit against me and question the integrity of my efforts – all over 1 signature that she claimed was fraudulent. That lawsuit cost thousands in lawyer fees while she tried again to discredit my character. Does this sound like authentic behavior from a first time candidate that isn’t an insider? It was a frivolous lawsuit that was dismissed.
To differentiate from my experience outlined above, under the Walsh administration, Sharon was appointed, not elected, and has demonstrated a track record of failure in a multitude of leadership roles – relying heavily on PR campaigns to create a narrative and depict a false sense of reality while causing stagnation and losses for Syracuse residents. The weight of the contradiction between the narrative and the reality of where Syracuse has progressed is too great. One of Sharon’s most common responses is that she will “turn to experts”, when she is in over her head. While good leaders certainly should take expert opinions into account, great leaders with relevant experience should also be able to demonstrate their own expertise and have the aptitude to avoid major losses for the City. Where has the expertise at City Hall been for the past 8 years? In reality, there has been a lot of failure and finger pointing at City Hall, instead of ownership, initiative, and sound decision making to drive success.
On a more sensitive note, Sharon Owens and her campaign team have asked for your vote to “make history together”, while divisive journalism and misquotes carelessly portrayed me as a racist. The narratives couldn’t be more polarizing or exploitative. History worth celebrating needs to be earned, not bought and paid for. I do not intend to leverage race relations and personal accolades as a means for getting your vote nor do I intend to prioritize anything above effective leadership, transparency, and accountability. I encourage other candidates to do the same and I encourage you to vote for the best candidate, period. Four years ago, I voted for Khalid Bey to be Mayor of Syracuse and I gave Khalid $99 in cash for his campaign even though Ben was my boss and Khalid’s opponent. I didn’t vote for Khalid because he’s Black, I voted for Khalid because he’s brilliant and he would make Syracuse better. Eight years ago, I voted for Juanita Perez Williams, not because she was a Latina but because I believed she would be the best Mayor for Syracuse. If we allow race to continually divide our city, it makes us weak. Tolerating misquotes in media outlets and baseless accusations of racism just makes the road easier for those pulling the strings, while residents are left to navigate rough roads with no integrity and potholes that are a reflection of 8 years of inaction. A vote for Sharon is a vote for status quo. We can do better. We need to do better.
Moving Syracuse Forward
Syracuse can and will be a healthy, thriving city with the right leadership. Running for Mayor of Syracuse was a confrontational reaction to my experience in the Walsh administration because I lost faith in Sharon’s ability to lead us in its wake, but I am fully committed to the task at hand and giving Syracuse residents the reality they deserve. I have the right motivation, ability, and professional experience to do the job correctly and most importantly: openly, honestly and more effectively. Whereas the current administration has often kicked the can down the road and exhausted PR resources to detract attention away from bad decision making and poor performance, I have a track record of doing what’s right for Syracuse at any cost, including alienating myself and ultimately forfeiting a job that I loved. Why should this matter to you and why should you have faith in me going forward? It is because honesty and integrity are the most basic expectations for being a public servant and cannot be compromised at City Hall. Sometimes the truth is messy but we cannot shy away from it if we want to accomplish real progress. Whereas some have critiqued my aggressive approach as a character flaw, I state with profound certainty that I’m centered and proud to be the me that cuts through all the noise, moving intentionally and having the decency to eliminate spun narratives as I take action, especially against injustice. While I am empathetic and protective of the vulnerable, I know we have the capacity to see true injustice and act accordingly, rather than be manipulated by PR. I won’t apologize for being assertive and ethical on behalf of Syracuse. I am confident in being held accountable to you with the truth on my side, my ability to make sound decisions, and your ability to recognize good intentions.
Syracuse is my home and our community has shaped my identity. I live on Glenwood Avenue in the heart of a southwest neighborhood that I’ve worked for 15 years to revitalize. However, a chain is only as strong as the weakest link and my neighborhood’s revitalization will not move the needle unless all neighborhoods achieve revitalization. Our collective growth is dependent on Syracuse realizing its full potential in every pocket of every neighborhood – North to South, East to West, or South to North, West to East, what have you. I have a record of success transforming my street in what was formerly a neglected neighborhood of Syracuse. I know what it takes for true and sustainable transformation and it is not for the weak or uninformed. True leadership requires being involved at ground level.
A “Better” Syracuse
I know “being better” means different things for all of us. For me, a better Syracuse means living in a community of empowered individuals who respect the broader community effort and believe tomorrow will be better than today, if we all do our part. In such a Syracuse, parents in every neighborhood would feel comfortable having their kids play in their local park without fear of being shot, stabbed, bit by a stray animal, or run over. It is a place where all residents have economic power and the ability to attain and maintain a home and sense of personal security. For many residents, better means accessible jobs, higher wages, affordable rent, home ownership, paved roads, timely commutes, connected neighborhoods, unique amenities, animal welfare resources, and a beautiful city we are proud to show off. In the most basic sense, being better may simply mean having access to clean air, clean water, quality food, a safe, temperature controlled climate and mobility – which sadly is a point of contention in Syracuse in 2025. I have definitive plans. It will take a lot of effort and a lot of real work to make this vision come true. And when we have it, we won’t need paid media campaigns to convince us that it’s real. Success will be tangible and I want that for Syracuse. That is why I am running for Mayor and I am asking for your thoughtful consideration and your vote to ensure Syracuse has the best chance to grow.
Hard Work Required – Syracuse Grit
Examine my track record, get to know me, and see the work I’ve put in and that I’m putting in. My background is exactly what Syracuse needs most right now – financial stewardship, logical decision making, first hand perspective and empathy for the urgent situation Syracuse residents find themselves in every day. Take note of my qualifications and each aspect that other candidates latch onto and claim as their own qualifications, because they know the experience and expertise is critical. Then do your due diligence looking beyond media publications and flashy party endorsements to compare our actual resumes and determine what each candidate actually brings to the table. Alongside my criticisms of other candidates, please also get to know the criticisms that follow me and that I fully acknowledge. The most common critiques I receive on almost a daily basis is about my approach and appearance, but not my qualifications or abilities. I know not everyone was happy with my reaction to the situation at City Hall. The fallout was real and I’ve gained perspective from it. However, I remain undeterred in my pursuit of a better Syracuse and I hope you decide that I have always had the right intentions on behalf of our city. I am comfortable being the ethical eyebrow raising candidate for Mayor.
I will always prioritize hard work and getting stuff done over finely tuned speech and appearance. I refuse to waste public funds sugarcoating the truth. I offer straight forward leadership, no BS. Being a father of 5 kids with two dogs and 7 chickens and revitalizing my neighborhood as a landlord while holding a steady 9-5 is real work together with my wife, who is also balancing a full time career as a firefighter. Our schedules are often opposite. It is challenging, exhausting, comical, and fulfilling with no “one size fits all” template. Our approach and appearance is a reflection of the amount of effort we’re putting into our family and our community – which many of you can relate to. Fixing this city is a dirty job. I put on a suit when need be, but real change won’t happen wearing a suit everyday or with perfectly placed hair. I’m capable, unafraid and eager to get dirty doing work for Syracuse and I get dirty doing it everyday. Real Syracuse residents are known for their grit. I hope when you look at me, you will see the same grit, determination and perseverance you see in yourselves.
Your Vote Matters, Review My 9-Point Plan
If elected, I will be the strongest and most effective advocate for Syracuse this city has seen in years, with substantive initiatives to take this city forward. I intend to address dozens of the most common complaints head on, and quickly, alongside concrete projects to breathe new life into the heart of Syracuse while protecting our most vulnerable residents. Please compare the specifics of my plan with conventional vague marketing material and classic stump speeches we are all too familiar with. Thank you for your due diligence, your vote matters, the future of our city depends on it.