Township, city & town

Town Council Member, Town of Syracuse

At large

Vote for: 2
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The council is the Town of Syracuse's legislative body: it passes ordinances and adopts the budget, and in a town also runs town government.

Candidates Compare by issue

Gregory Scott Abbs

Republican

The gist

Supports growth matched to infrastructure capacity
Pledges to weigh water, sewer and roads in development
Proposes auditing the budget before seeking more tax money
Opposes annexing land over owners' objections

More about Gregory

View sources (2)

Supports growth matched to infrastructure capacity
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“Growth is only successful when it is properly planned, financially responsible and remains consistent with our infrastructure capacity.”
Pledges to weigh water, sewer and roads in development
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“Maintaining and improving our water, sewer and roads must be part of the development conversation from the beginning.”
Proposes auditing the budget before seeking more tax money
Republican Candidates Field Questions In Syracuse Town Council Debate
Debate / forum transcript · InkFreeNews · Mar 31, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“He recommended before asking citizens for more money, the council look at its budget for inefficiencies, then looking for grants and other potential revenue.”
Opposes annexing land over owners' objections
Republican Candidates Field Questions In Syracuse Town Council Debate
Debate / forum transcript · InkFreeNews · Mar 31, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“agreed with Goodnight that government should not be forcing people to be annexed”

Matthew Goodnight

Republican

The gist

Pledges to find responsible ways to replace lost revenue
Supports new development on condition growth pays for itself
Opposes cutting public safety and public works to balance budgets
Opposes forced annexation of unwilling property owners

More about Matthew

View sources (2)

Pledges to find responsible ways to replace lost revenue
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“stay current on legislative revisions and identify responsible ways to replace revenue”
Supports new development on condition growth pays for itself
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“growth should pay for growth, not fall on the backs of taxpayers”
Opposes cutting public safety and public works to balance budgets
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“Public safety, public works and other essential functions cannot be compromised simply because budgets are tighter.”
Opposes forced annexation of unwilling property owners
Republican Candidates Field Questions In Syracuse Town Council Debate
Debate / forum transcript · InkFreeNews · Mar 31, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“He doesn't believe the government has the right to seize property unless through eminent domain.”

Yesenia (Jessie) Vetor

Democratic

The gist

Supports checking utility capacity before approving major projects
Supports consistent criteria for annexation and expansion
Pledges to post Town Hall meetings on the town's website

More about Yesenia

View sources (1)

Supports checking utility capacity before approving major projects
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“Syracuse should be evaluating utility capacity before approving major projects”
Supports consistent criteria for annexation and expansion
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“applying consistent criteria for annexation and expansion and clearly communicating financial impacts”
Pledges to post Town Hall meetings on the town's website
Three Vie For Syracuse At-Large seats
Candidate questionnaire · InkFreeNews (The Mail-Journal) · Sep 24, 2026 · inkfreenews.com
“I would also ensure Town Hall meetings are posted on the town's website.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.