Syracuse Democratic party activist Gary Morris has dropped his bid to become president of the Syracuse Common Council and endorsed current president Van Robinson Monday.
Morris unsuccessfully sought the party's nomination for the race a few weeks ago, but did not get it. He held a press conference with Robinson and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner at Miner's re-election campaign headquarters.
Morris has been involved in politics in the city for several years and says he'll continue to be.
"I will continue to stand up for the issues which were addressed during my campaign," he said. "I will continue to stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves. I will continue to stand up for a city defined by deep and meaningful equality for all our residents."
Morris last year ran for Onondaga County clerk, but lost the race. He says right now he's going to focus on his real estate business and teaching and doesn't know if he'll run for office again.
Miner brokered the endorsement.
"After speaking with the mayor and her leadership and understanding the importance of our city," says Morris, "understanding the importance of the direction that our city needs to go in, we need to stand together as one party."
Miner says primaries are divisive.
"I think our city significant challenges and we should focus on those challenges and not focus on primaries and wasting resources," she says.
