Editor’s note: Shawn Fiato, the Republican candidate for the New York State Assembly’s 129th District seat, was contacted multiple times by phone and email to participate in a question-and-answer story about issues facing the district. She has so far not returned calls nor answers to the questions. This story is part of CNY Decides, a collaboration between Central Current and WAER Syracuse Public Media to demystify the political process and bring you the stories and information you’ll remember in the voting booth in 2026. Click here to read, watch and listen to other installments in the collaboration.
Maurice “Mo” Brown will face Shawn Fiato in a race to represent the 129th District in the New York State Assembly.
Brown, a sitting Onondaga County Legislator representing the 15th Legislative District as a Democrat, defeated former Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli in a grueling Democratic primary in June. Magnarelli lost his bid for the Democratic line, and the seat he had held for almost 30 years, by a margin of 104 votes.
Fiato, a former county legislator, hopes to bring her experience working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to the State Assembly, according to her website.
The 129th Assembly District is made up of parts of Syracuse and the towns of Geddes and Van Buren. Almost two thirds of the city’s residents live within the district, which wraps around the city in a “C” shape. The district includes the Strathmore, Tipperary Hill, and University Neighborhood.
Central Current asked Brown a series of questions on pressing issues for constituents in the 129th Assembly District. His responses can be found below.
Central Current: What is the number one thing you think needs to become more affordable for the people in your district? How will you help make it more affordable?
Mo Brown: Housing. I think we need to build more housing across Central New York. There’s a bunch of different things we can do. I am still looking to pursue a public developer [model] at scale, but there’s also things we can do around affordable housing and just connecting current projects. Like there are projects that are looking for O-CHIP money. And just connecting them with available state resources. We’re learning that education is a part of the battle for developers. So I can be a conduit.
CC: CenterState CEO has estimated that the region needs around 2,500 new units of housing to accommodate for the growth that Micron is going to bring to Central New York. What will you do to get the region on track to build the requisite number of housing units?
MB: We’re gonna need all hands on deck, and we need to treat housing with the same urgency we treat tourism. I’ve been pretty loud against the aquarium because I want to see an aquarium-sized investment into housing, and I think that the county has to be a partner. I want to be real sober-eyed in that, in order to meet those estimates, we’re going to need to really prioritize it. But I think it can be done.
CC: Do data centers belong in your district? Why or why not?
MB: No, because of our proximity to drinking water. I think that our waterways in Central New York make us special, and data centers are a clear and direct threat to that. It’s a reward that’s not nearly worth the risk.
CC: What is the ideal way of building out our electric grid in a time of increased demand?
MB: I’m in favor of renewables, just in that they are the cheapest and the most efficient long term, so I think we need to look into solar significantly more. I like the ideas that are coming about wanting Micron to put solar panels on their roofs to take advantage of their extra space. But I like making it available to, you know, if farmers want to use their land to do solar? I am all for that. We need to be looking at all sorts of energy expansion, but we definitely have to prioritize renewable energy because there’s no planet B. It is the most affordable when done at scale.
CC: With the likelihood that a new nuclear power plant will come to CNY, what role do you see yourself playing in the potential expansion of nuclear power? Will you facilitate and make sure that a new plant brings benefits to your district? If so, how? Or do you see yourself being on the other side of the issue?
MB: My initial role is going to be that of a skeptic. I have to be shown the data. It has to be proven to me that it’s safe. From what I’ve seen so far, I still have concerns around the safety and just the viability of implementation. But if those needs are met, I think my role will be the bridge. I’m the partner. I want to make sure those jobs go to Central New Yorkers. To make sure those jobs are union. I don’t want to just do it just to do it. But I’m probably not gonna be the nuclear champion. At the same time, I’m not gonna be the enemy of nuclear just for the sake of being the enemy.
CC: What role will you play in assisting Onondaga County in having to do more with less federal funding to provide services like SNAP?
MB: Credible messenger. When the state brings money to the localities, we put strings on it. We say the money has to be used for “X,” the money has to be used for “Y.” If that’s to be done, we have to speak with the people impacted. When that comes, I want to make sure those strings that are attached are the right ones. The way you figure that out is by working with the people doing the actual work.
Read more of Central Current’s coverage
Sean Kirst: Jim Gifford’s life equaled faith in Elmwood. Saturday’s cleanup, in his memory, nurtures that spark.
An annual gathering in honor of a guy, lost to violence, whose everyday world represented full neighborhood commitment.
Syracuse’s Flock readers may have been removed, but the readers still flourish in Central New York
Syracuse University and Baldwinsville schools avowed Flock’s merits while Congress heard testimony decrying license plate reader companies.
Facing a labor shortage, SHA, developer host free construction workforce training for SHA residents
More than 150 people signed up for the training. Part of the challenge in hiring construction workers is the number of construction jobs happening in the region.
Syracuse Housing Authority breaks ground on second phase of public housing redevelopment
The new building will be called The Simmons to honor the decadeslong career of SHA’s former Executive Director Bill Simmons.
AOC comes to Syracuse in an effort to reengage dormant Democratic voters
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ Monday trip to Syracuse was the last leg of a three-city tour across Upstate New York. She also visited Ithaca and Buffalo.
