Andrew Maxwell, a Democratic candidate in the 2017 Syracuse mayoral race, has dropped out.

In an announcement released this morning, he cited lack of party support and a crowded field of candidates as reasons why he ended his campaign.

“I ran this race to win, and unfortunately, without the support of the Party and with a crowded field, I believe my path to victory has essentially closed,” Maxwell said in a press release.

In the press release, Maxwell thanked his supporters and said he was proud of his campaign’s integrity and ideas. He added he believed he surprised many and helped “awaken” the local Democratic Party and the community to the need for an inclusive and forward-looking trajectory.

He urged his supporters to stay involved in political process.

The Democratic Party endorsed Joe Nicoletti for mayor, Syracuse.com reported on May 13. In the second round of Onondaga County Democratic Committee voting, Nicoletti narrowly beat Maxwell for the party’s endorsement. Nicoletti received 51 percent of the vote, while Maxwell received 48 percent.

Maxwell was previously Syracuse’s director of policy and innovation. Before holding that position, he worked in community development under former Mayor Matt Driscoll and was the leader of the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency.

He is the first Democratic candidate to drop out of the race. Six Democrats, one Republican, one Green Party and one independent candidate are continuing their campaigns.

The mayoral primary will be held Sept. 12, while the general election is on Nov. 7.

Published on May 26, 2017 at 3:04 pm

Contact Jordan: jmulle01@syr.edu | @jordanmuller18