Syracuse, N.Y. — Sharon Owens received an unexpected gift on the night she became Syracuse’s mayor-elect.

While Owens made history as the first Black person and second woman to be elected mayor , a group of six Democrats running for Onondaga Legislature seats achieved something not seen in five decades. They won contested races to take control of the county’s legislative branch from Republicans.

In an interview at City Hall the morning after her decisive victory, Owens said the blue wave on the county Legislature presents a huge opportunity for Syracuse.

“We have the county that is majority blue now with folks who are going to lead who are very much invested in the city‚" Owens said.

The mayor-elect said the power shift could have a meaningful impact on county funding decisions to

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