Stephanie Miner will not run for Congress in 2018 (Syracuse Mayor, NY24)

Syracuse.com ^ | 10/19/17 | Chris Baker

[jalisco555]

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner will not run for Congress in 2018.

Miner has long been mentioned as a potential challenger to U.S. Rep. John Katko for Central New York's 24th Congressional District. Thursday morning, she ruled out a run.

"After much thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, I have decided I will not be a candidate for Congress in 2018," Miner said in a statement Thursday. "This was not an easy decision given magnitude of issues faced by our community, but I believe we are best served supporting other progressive leaders in this election both at home and across New York."

Miner is term-limited out of office as mayor at the end of this year. She has hinted she may challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a primary next year.

Already, two Democrats have announced they will run for Congress in 2018: Anne Messenger and Dana Balter.

[jalisco555]

This may seem like a small, local story but I think it has larger, national implications. NY24 is the most volatile congressional district in the country. It went R in 2006, D in 2008, R in 2010, D in 2012 and R in 2014 and 2016. The fact that Stephanie Miner,the Democrat with the best shot IMO at taking the district, has chosen not to run tells me that across the country many so-called vulnerable R-held districts may be safer than we think.

[mass55th]

Thanks for posting. I live in Oneida County, about 45 minutes from Syracuse.

[Steely Tom]

Yes indeed. Syracuse leans Democrat because of urban and university influence.

The surrounding county (Onondaga) is more Republican-heavy. The population balance is about 4:1 (county:city).

I just had breakfast this morning at a diner well-known to those who work and play near Oneida lake.

Many Trump stickers on the cars and pickups in the parking lot.

[TBP]

“After much thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, I have decided I cannot win a race for Congress in 2018,” Miner said in a statement Thursday.

[Genoa]

Suburbs and rural areas in the Empire State, which used to be winnable for the Democrats, were almost all red in 2016. Hillary’s strength was pretty much urban. With Trump on the ticket again in 2018, sensible Democrats aren’t optimistic about races that aren’t statewide.

[Genoa]

By the way, how about those Orangemen!

[Impy]

Major rat recruitment failure.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Let Miner “undermine” Cuomo. In fact, everyone should run against the Little Godfather of Albany just to f*ck with his mind and pocketbook. This includes good Republican candidates.

Hit the bastard from all sides, from the top and from down under. Make he squirm like the crooked worm he is.

Besides, he might need a break from politics because he could be indicted and convicted for criminal acts while he was the head of HUD, and “them dar charges are federal”.