Nagle nabs Syracuse mayoral post

SYRACUSE — The race for the mayor’s post in Syracuse went to Jamie Nagle in a squeaker over Craig Jenkins as the two candidates lobbied voters to succeed Fred Panucci, who opted not to seek a third term.

Jenkins and Nagle had finished one-two in the Sept. 15 primary, with Jenkins finishing about 400 votes in front of Nagle.

But Nagle this time around finished with a 32-vote lead, less than a 1 percent separation of the tally.

“It was a real nail-biter,” said an elated Nagle, 43, who is employed with the state as a performance management specialist.

“We did everything we could to get out the vote.”
The ballot numbers were 1,643 for Nagle and 1,611 for Jenkins.

Nagle, a member of the planning commission, works for the state and worked closely with former Gov. Jon Huntsman’s administration.

“We offer our congratulations,” said Betsy Thurgood, Jenkins’ campaign manger.

“We want the best for Syracuse, too.”

City residents also elected Matt Kimmel and Larry Shingleton to serve on the city council. With only three Syracuse City Council candidates in the race, the top two vote-getters captured a seat.

“I am shocked. I am humbled,” said Kimmel, a 32-year-old commercial real estate agent.

Kimmel was the top vote-getter at 2,031 ballots, and Shingleton was next with 1,885.

Shingleton, 61, was the lone incumbent in the race. He ran for his first full-term after being appointed to the position.

Theresa Sheffield, a 46-year-old self-employed revenue manager, received 1,843 votes.

A fourth candidate in the race, Robert Whiteley, withdrew because of an employer requirement.