Post-Standard Political Notebook
Election Eve finds Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll picking up another endorsement, Republican challenger Joanie Mahoney door-knocking around town, and Green candidate Howie Hawkins criticizing them both, saying they'd let their "negative campaign ads" eclipse the issues.
Driscoll, the Democrat seeking his second term, received the endorsement of the Syracuse Federal Credit Union during a ceremony at 2 p.m. at the credit union's East Genesee Street office. The institution serves 20,000 members.
Mahoney, meanwhile, embarked on a 7 a.m.-to-midnight marathon in her "Expect More" campaign bus. Her itinerary included Eastwood, Meadowbrook, the Near Northeast Side, the University Area, the Common Center bus stop, Bernadine Apartments and a TNT meeting at McKinley-Brighton Magnet School. She's expected to wind up the day at the Bull & Bear on Hanover Square at 10 p.m. and Ambrosia on Armory Square at 11 p.m.
Hawkins held a midmorning news conference to say he was disappointed with Driscoll and Mahoney for using "negative" paid advertising to steer the debate away from issues. "Mahoney and Driscoll have turned the campaign into a debate over style about whether congeniality or firmness is needed to best manage the status quo," Hawkins said in prepared remarks. "If we stick with the same policies, we are going to get the same results no matter the style or personality of the mayor."
John Mariani
jmariani@syracuse.com