Interview for Syracuse Common Council At-Large Position with Helen Hudson - February 13, 2026

On February 13, 2026, the Syracuse Common Council interviewed Helen Hudson, former council president and at-large councilor with 14 years of service, for a vacant at-large seat. The session covered her background, policy positions, and vision for the city. Councilors asked about housing, tenant protections, workforce development, public safety, and her past legislative work.

Discussion Items

• Support for Voter Will & Clarification: When asked if the council should support an appointment reflecting the will of voters, Hudson initially answered "Absolutely" but then clarified she misunderstood the question, thinking it was about employment. She later affirmed her belief in respecting voter will.
• Tenant Protection (Good Cause Eviction): Hudson expressed support for good cause eviction as a tool to protect renters from slumlords, calling it a necessary protection for Syracuse at this time. She later noted her position evolved after listening to both tenants and landlords.
• Housing as a Priority: Hudson identified housing as the city's biggest problem, citing abandoned and neglected homes. She emphasized the need for decent, sustainable housing for all income levels, including lower-income residents, and supported connecting neighborhoods through the Syracuse Housing Strategy.
• Budget Experience: Drawing on 14 years of experience, she explained the need to examine each department's budget, including staffing levels and vacancies.
• Legislative Work (Ban the Box, Living Wage): Hudson highlighted her role in passing Ban the Box and the Living Wage Ordinance, which protect workers with records and ensure city contractors pay a living wage. She advocated reinstating the living wage ordinance.
• Mothers Against Gun Violence: She described founding this organization in 2002 to engage mothers in preventing gun violence, starting with street outreach to youth and supporting mothers of homicide victims.
• Role of At-Large Councilor: Hudson saw the at-large role as providing citywide constituent services, backing up district councilors, and increasing community engagement in council meetings.
• Middle-Class Housing Neglect: She agreed that housing for the middle class and poor has been neglected, noting the need to build housing throughout the city, not just in downtown or Armory Square.
• Workforce Development: Hudson praised Pathways to Apprenticeship (now in its 10th cohort) and supported small nonprofits that help vulnerable residents gain skills and access training.
• Coalition Building & Teamwork: She emphasized the importance of teamwork, drawing from her experience at Chrysler, and said a divided council does not serve the community.
• New Americans: Hudson called for listening to New American communities rather than telling them what to do, and for bringing diverse groups together across the city.
• Interstate 81: She urged that land from the highway removal be returned to the city for residents and small businesses, not given to non-profits on the hill, and expressed concern that disenfranchised communities could be harmed again.
• Most Difficult Vote: Hudson identified raising taxes on residents as the most difficult vote, as it burdens those on fixed incomes and contributes to property loss.
• Unanimous Voting Governance: When challenged that a decade of unanimous council votes reflected a failure of good governance, Hudson countered that councilors independently agreed on many issues, and as an at-large member, she would bring a variety of constituent voices.
• Modernization: She supported an electronic newsletter for councilors to share their work with the public.
• Relationship with Mayor's Office: Hudson stressed that the common council is the independent legislative branch, distinct from the mayor's administration.

Key Outcomes

• The interview was a fact-finding session; no appointment vote occurred during the transcript. Hudson stated her intention to continue community work regardless of the outcome.
• Councilors expressed appreciation for her past contributions, with several noting her impact on housing, gun violence prevention, and workforce development.
• Hudson confirmed she would seek election if not appointed, noting the party designation process was limited to one party and that the full city electorate should decide.