Designated Democratic candidate Stephanie Miner has raised more total money and has more cash on hand than any of the other Syracuse mayoral candidates, according to financial disclosure reports filed Wednesday. Miner also raised the most money during the Jan. 15 through July 15 filing period.  Since the Jan. 15 financial filing, Miner for Mayor reported $ 176, 411.62 in contributions and $241, 484 in cash on hand.

Miner has nearly twice as much cash on hand as primary opponent Joe Nicoletti. She has raised a total of $305, 206.   Seventy percent of Miner for Mayor’s contributions during this filing period were under $200 and 59 percent were $100 or less. 

 “This confirms what I’m seeing every day when I’m out talking to people,” Miner said. “Syracuse voters want change – they’re hungry for new ideas, new approaches, new ways of dealing with the challenges we face.”

The 39-year-old Syracuse city common councilor, Stephanie Miner entered the race in January to become the city’s next mayor.  The election will be held on November 3, 2009.  If elected, Stephanie would become the first female mayor of the City of Syracuse, New York. 

Stephanie Miner’s priorities as Syracuse mayor would include education, economic development, public safety and the environment. “I am running for mayor because I believe in the power of ideas and the power of leadership,” said Stephanie Miner.  “Times like these require toughness, determination, and innovative solutions to meet the magnitude of the challenges we’re facing. To bring change, we have to look at new ways of tackling old problems.”

Stephanie was born in Syracuse and was raised in a family of five children. Her father is a retired military officer and physician and her mother is Dean of the Wegman School of nursing at St. John Fisher College.

A Life of Pubilc Service

After graduating from Syracuse University and Buffalo Law School, Stephanie resettled in Syracuse and developed a passionate interest in public service. In the 1990’s she served as Regional Representative for then-Governor Mario Cuomo.  Prior to committing to run for mayor full-time, Miner had been a partner at Blitman & King since 2005, specializing in labor law, employment law and the Employment Retirement Income Security Act.

In 2001 she ran and was elected to the Syracuse Common Council. She quickly earned a reputation for finding innovative solutions to the city’s challenges and for demanding accountability. She drafted and passed legislation to support the Say

Yes to Education program in Syracuse, which provides $1,000,000 to academic support programs for inner city students. This fall, more than 600 students from the city’s four public high schools will attend college tuition free because of Say Yes to Education.

Stephanie recognizes that there are additional challenges to running as the first female mayor of a major city.   “I see it as both an opportunity and a challenge. It is an opportunity because as a woman, I inherently represent change. On the other hand, it can be a challenge, because sometimes people are uncomfortable straying from the status quo.”

To read more about Stephanie Miner visit:  http://www.minerformayor.com.